'Do not turn Thakurgaon into another Magura — let the election be a festival like Eid': Jamaat leader Abdul Halim

Dismissing fears of a 'Magura-style' election around the Thakurgaon-1 by-election, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Assistant Secretary General Maulana Abdul Halim has called for a festive vote. 'Do not set Bangladesh ablaze over one Thakurgaon,' he said. 'Because of one Magura, the government of the day was forced to accept a caretaker government. Whoever wins or loses in Thakurgaon-1, the government will not fall, nor will the opposition face disaster. We do not want to see this seat become another Magura in any way.'

He made the remarks while speaking to journalists on Friday (23 October) at around 12 noon, after inspecting preparations at the big field of Thakurgaon Government Boys' High School, the venue of an election rally in support of Jamaat-nominated candidate Delawar Hossain. Candidate Delawar Hossain and district Jamaat ameer Professor Belal Uddin Pradhan, along with local leaders, were present at the time.

At the press conference, Maulana Abdul Halim alleged that Jamaat activists are facing continuous threats and obstruction on the campaign trail. In particular, their candidate was obstructed from carrying out public contact in Hajipara of Ward No. 5 of Thakurgaon municipality.

He further alleged that two BNP leaders of that same ward, Farhad and Dulal, have been continuously threatening Jamaat's male and female workers. 'I say this with great sorrow: BNP people forced one of our women workers to leave her home. They speak of women's rights, but when Jamaat's women work for the vote in an organised way, women's rights no longer exist — they become ‘Jamaatis,’' he said, adding that Jamaat's women now enjoy much greater support and acceptance among voters.

The Jamaat leader's list of complaints also includes an incident in Akhanagar of Ruhia upazila. He claimed that after an election rally there, BNP activists entered the Jamaat office, vandalised chairs and assaulted workers, and even openly threatened their thana ameer. He also alleged that intimidation during a rally at Krishnapur in Rahimapur kept ordinary leaders and activists from taking part.

He did, however, express satisfaction with the role of the Election Commission and the administration. 'Conducting the election fairly is the Election Commission's main responsibility. So far the administration's role has been commendable and we thank them. But our complaints must also be noted with importance,' he said.

Abdul Halim said, 'Whether the ruling party wins here or the opposition wins is not what matters to us. We want to see the democratic course that began through the student-people's mass uprising set a new and shining example in Thakurgaon-1.' He added, 'We do not want a Magura-style election; we want a festival like Eid.'

Appealing to all five candidates, he said, 'Come, let us all celebrate an ‘Eid festival’ through this election. Whatever the people's verdict, we will accept it.'

Addressing voters, he said, 'Do not forget the joy of before just because this is a by-election. Forget fear, come to the polling centres without hindrance, and vote for whomever you wish. Together we want to make the Thakurgaon-1 election a bright and beautiful example in Bangladesh's politics.'

Meanwhile, BNP-nominated candidate Mirza Faysal Amin is also in the field with promises to voters in the same seat. He has said that if elected MP, he will first arrange the sale of fertiliser in the open market, and that he wants to go to parliament by winning the voters' support.

All in all, campaigning for the Thakurgaon-1 by-election is heating up, and so are the counter-allegations. Jamaat's message — 'no repeat of Magura, an election like a festival' — is now at the centre of discussion. The situation on polling day will show how far that appeal translates into reality.