Rajshahi, May 17 — Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, leader of the opposition and head of e-Islami, on Saturday raised concerns about what he termed as extensive “political encroachment” in various fields, launching strong criticism against the BNP regarding accusations of corruption, political influence, and poor administration.
“Why is the use of force for political takeovers occurring everywhere?” he questioned during a divisional rally of the 11-party opposition alliance held at the historic Madrasa ground in Rajshahi.
The event took place, calling for the execution of the referendum’s decision, relief for the public’s hardships, and a just portion of the Padma River’s water.
Speaking about the claimed politically motivated appointments at the Bangladesh Bank, Shafiqur Rahman stated, “You weren’t even able to manage the nation’s central bank effectively. You have placed an unqualified, biased individual in that position.”
He further criticized the BNP leadership for not addressing corruption, stating, “Your leader once claimed he would eliminate corruption. However, once you came into power, you argued that taking something through negotiation is not considered extortion. I strongly reject this stance.”
“Your identity was once the nationalist party. Now people refer to you as the extortion party,” he stated, noting that corruption and extortion were becoming widespread throughout the country.
The leader of the Jamaat stated that citizens need to act as “true defenders” against unfairness. “This nation is home to 200 million individuals. We all must act as protectors. No one will give us our rights out of kindness; we have to struggle for them,” he mentioned.
He also condemned the supposed political influence in public universities, stating that capable administrators were being replaced by “loyal but inexperienced” people, which he called a “disgrace to the country.”
Shafiqur Rahman also expressed worries regarding water-sharing matters, attributing the depletion of rivers such as the Padma and Teesta to actions taken upstream.
“In the dry season, the Padma turns into a desert, and during the monsoon, it becomes a cause of distress,” he stated, emphasizing the need for the successful execution of the proposed Padma Barrage and Teesta master plan.
He also spoke about regional connections, stating that Bangladesh respects neighboring nations but rejects discrimination towards Muslims. “We do not desire division or disturbance rooted in religion, yet we witness mistreatment of individuals due to their identity,” he mentioned, urging the global community to address humanitarian issues.
Referring to Bangladesh as a nation characterized by religious tolerance, he stated that every citizen should have equal rights irrespective of their religion.
He further accused of economic mismanagement, claiming that banks and financial institutions had been “robbed” and that joblessness was increasing. “A country that continuously looks back 55 years cannot progress,” he stated, encouraging attention to development and river management.
Shafiqur Rahman once again emphasized the need to carry out the Teesta master plan and restore the river’s ability to support navigation, cautioning that there would be ongoing political actions in both the parliament and on the streets if the demands were not addressed.
The event was chaired by Jamaat’s Assistant Secretary General and Rajshahi region head, Maulana Rafiqul Islam Khan. Representatives and members of the 11-party coalition participated in the gathering.
