Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman has said that if Jamaat-e-Islami wins the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election and forms the government, Nahid Islam—convener of their alliance partner, the National Citizen Party (NCP)—will be made a minister.
He made the announcement on Sunday at an election rally in Badda, Dhaka.
Addressing the gathering, the Jamaat chief said: “If we are victorious on the 12th, Nahid Islam will be made a minister. Nahid and his team will be placed in the cockpit of the plane, while the alliance leaders will sit behind. The Jamaat-led alliance will not make false promises. We will build the country with whatever resources we truly have.”
Speaking at the rally held at the DIT Project playground in support of Nahid Islam, attended by the 11-party alliance, he further said: “On 12 February, the people will show a red card to the slaves of hegemony. All the cards played by BNP on the streets and stages are fake. On the 12th, the people will reject those cards with a red card.”
Dr Shafiqur Rahman also said: “The aspirations of the nation were not fulfilled in 1947 or in 1971. In 2024, attempts to suppress legitimate public demands led to the events of July and August. On 5 August, the nation was freed from Awami ‘jahiliyat’ (ignorance and oppression). But from 6 August onwards, another oppressor descended upon the people.”
At the same election rally, Nahid Islam—NCP convener and the 13th parliamentary election candidate from the Dhaka-11 constituency—claimed that during the previous regime, shares of business and land grabbing in the area had even extended overseas.
Nahid alleged that although one individual had been living abroad for the past 15 years, he continued to "regularly receive a share of business profits and proceeds from land grabbing" in the constituency. He claimed that land "seized in the name of real estate companies generated profits that were collected by that person" while sitting in Malaysia.
He said: “After 5 August, that individual has returned to the country, and the person who used to carry out land grabbing and extortion here has taken his place.”
He further stated: “Hundreds of people in this area have had their land seized and filled in. Hundreds of families have been ruined. Those who were active in politics either directly acted as land grabbers or assisted them.”
Nahid Islam said: “Insha’Allah, we will eliminate economic inequality in this area. We will ensure civic facilities for the people here. Those who have lost their land will either get their land back or receive fair compensation.”
Referring to Rampura–Badda as a hotspot of the July movement, Nahid sought votes from local residents. He said: “We will protect Badda from land grabbers, occupiers, and the corrupt. Just like 5 August, 12 February must also be made a success. Not only in Dhaka-11, but across the country, the 11-party alliance will emerge victorious.”
