BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Wednesday said that Jamaat-e-Islami was able to engage in politics in Bangladesh due to BNP's generosity.
He made this remark during a memorial event for the late Professor Abdul Wahed Mondol in Bagmara upazila, Rajshahi.
Rizvi said: "After the country's independence, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman banned Jamaat's politics, but the party continued to practice hypocrisy. Jamaat has never been involved in anything other than hypocrisy. This is the party that shot at and killed innocent students, and yet they claim to forgive the Awami League. How can Jamaat forgive the killings of innocent people like Abu Sayed and Mugdho?"
He also criticized Sheikh Hasina for seeking refuge in India, saying: "India supports her to weaken Bangladesh. She is an offender who speaks against Bangladesh from India despite not having a passport or visa."
Recalling past political shifts, he said: "Sheikh Hasina initially resisted working under Ershad’s regime, only to later join his government."
Highlighting the sacrifices made in political struggles, Rizvi said: "Students and others have given their lives fighting against the government. The Awami League's actions have harmed the country, while BNP continues to represent the nationalist forces of Bangladesh."
Expressing frustration over the electoral process, he said: "For the past 17 years, there has not been a free and fair election in Bangladesh. Many young people in this country have never had the chance to vote in a transparent election under Sheikh Hasina's rule."