Interim government also involved in conspiracy to defeat us polls: Jamaat Ameer

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and Leader of the Opposition, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, has alleged that the 11-party alliance was defeated in the 12th National Parliamentary Election through a conspiracy, claiming that the interim government was also part of that plot.

He made the remarks on Wednesday (July 8) while addressing a seminar in the capital titled "The Spirit of the Mass Uprising, Implementation of the People's Referendum Verdict, and the Trial of the July Massacre and Crimes Against Humanity."

Dr. Shafiqur Rahman said the alliance accepted the election results despite its reservations.

"We accepted the election verdict because if we had rejected the results at that time, claiming the election was the outcome of a conspiracy after so many years, it could have plunged the country into chaos. No one knows where such a situation would have ended. The 11-party alliance acted responsibly."

He added that although they accepted the election outcome, they would not allow the verdict of the referendum to be ignored.

"Whether new or old, no form of fascism will be accepted. There can be no compromise when it comes to the rights of the people."

The Jamaat chief also said the national election was held after "much drama" and alleged that, following the polls, some claimed they had made many compromises to facilitate the election.

"They are trying to portray the people as fools. They claim that the public gave its verdict in the referendum without understanding the issues. They, too, were victims of oppression for 17 years, but many of them never went to prison. They cannot understand the anguish of the families of the martyrs."

He also warned that any attempt to violate standards of decency or disrespect the legacy of the July movement would not be tolerated.