The Awami League-led government uses the Jamaat-e-Islami as a ploy instead of banning it to keep the BNP under pressure, a senior leader has alleged.
BNP National Standing Committee Member Hannan Shah said at a discussion on Saturday that the ruling party had publicly threatened to ban the Jamaat in June but that has not come off.
The Jamaat-e- Islami, which had opposed Bangladesh’s independence in 1971, cannot take part in polls as the Election Commission has cancelled its registration following a High Court order.
Several top Jamaat leaders, including its chief Motiur Rahamn Nizami, have been executed for crimes against humanity during the War of Independence.
The war crimes tribunal verdicts have described it as a ‘criminal party’, prompting demands for putting the party on trial for war crimes and its banning.
Hannan Shah says that the government uses Jamaat-e-Islami as a card in its game of politics. File photo
The party is a part of the BNP-led 20-party Alliance.
“The government is always locked in a blame game. Every now and then they hold the BNP and the Jamaat responsible,” said Hannan Shah.
Referring to the High Court ruling on Jamaat, he said that the party was barred from fielding candidates.
“I ask the government, why are you hesitating now?” he asked. “That means they are using Jamaat as a card in its game of politics.”
Source: bdnews24
