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Exclusive Interview

Jamaat's initiative to organize Islamic parties under its banner will not succeed: Kaikobad

Only a political govt through immediate election can legalise the interim govt, he asserts

Published : Friday, 7 February, 2025 at 12:00 AM  Count : 259
Mohosinul Karim
BNP Vice-Chairman Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain Kaikobad, also a former state minister for Religious Affairs, opined that the initiative of the Jamaat-e-Islami to organize the country's Islamic parties under one banner will not succeed. Rather, it is possible only for the BNP to bring the Islamic parties together due to its previous role to serve Islamic parties and Islamic values.

He said a free and fair election held by the interim government can form an elected political government, which can legalise this interim government and its activities.

In an exclusive interview with the Daily Observer, the five-time Member of Parliament (MP) from Cumilla-3 talked about politics, economy, election and BNP's stand. The Daily Observer's Chief Reporter Mohosinul Karim interviewed him at his residence.

Kaikobad has recently returned home from self-exile of 13 years in abroad due to a cases filed against him along with BNP Acting Chairperson Tarique Rahman and former State Minister for Home Lutfuzzaman Babar claiming their involvement in the August 21 grenade attack on former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at Bangabandhu Avenue in Dhaka.

Kaikobad claimed that there are huge differences between Jamaat and other Islamic parties. The difference could not be removed in a day or two. BNP always has a good relation with the country's Islamic parties. BNP could organize the Islamic parties in 2001, he recalled.

In response to a question over the distance between BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami, which parties have done movements against the ousted Awami League government for a long time, the senior BNP leader said, "The deference between BNP and Jamaat must be removed quickly to uphold the spirit of the recent movement and those sacrificed their lives. If the difference continues, it would be easy for fascist Awami League to return to politics again."

"Due to the false cases, killing and repression of Awami League during last few years, Awami League chief had to flee from the country leaving the power. Now, they are trying to come back in politics taking the advantage of probable people unrest regarding dilemma in holding national polls. It would be better for this interim government to hold the election in quickest possible time," he added.

Regarding his return to Bangladesh after 13 years of self-exile, Kaikobad said, "I was given conviction of life term with a political vengeance in a false and fraudulent case. Due to such cases and repression of the country's people, Allah was unhappy on Awami League and its chief Sheikh Hasina. Allah blessed me and I have returned to the country. Awami League chief had to leave the country."

Replying to a question how you and your party consider the initiative of forming political party by the students of July-August movement, he said, "It is the right of the country's all citizens to form a political party. The government of 1/11 had also tried to form a new political party. But it failed as the country's people are aware.

"The quota movement started by the students to reform the quota system. At one stage, the student leaders started demanding resignation of three ministers relevant with the system. If they resigned or they were removed, there would be a chance of compromise," he observed.

He said, "At one stage, the leaders and activists of political parties and general people engaged with the movement and the success came. No one can claim individual success in the movement. But, we are grateful that the students had played important roles at the very beginning. In all movements including the movement for independence, the students had played vital roles. But, the students never took the responsibility of running the government or ministries. Always, the politicians did the work."

In response to a question how you evaluate the six month's activities of this interim government and proposed roadmap of upcoming election, the senior BNP leader stated, "There is no success on the interim government in any sector except the banking sector. The banking sector has achieved some success, but the law and order situation could not be restored."

"In the administration, the trend of Awami League government is still remaining. They have been appointing Deputy Commissioners (DCs), Superintendents of Police (SPs) and Officers in Charge (OCS). They have also occupied most of tops ranks in the administration. If it continues, then what is the benefit of this change," he said, adding, "In such case, it would be better for the government to hold elections as soon as possible, so that a political government can run the state smoothly and implement reforms."

Regarding the BNP's question over the neutrality of this interim government, Kaikobad said, "The question has been raised due to the roles of some Advisers. They could not play neutral roles."

Is there any probability of head to head fight between BNP and Jamaat, the BNP leader said, "Jamaat is an organized party. But, they must remember that how many seats they got during the election 2001 even after coalition with BNP. Same time, how many seats they won in the election they contested without coalition with BNP and others. They had to face disaster whenever they made a mistake"

"We hoped that the BNP, Jamaat and other Islamic parties would run the country together after the changeover of August 5, 2024. But, I am frustrated seeing the present situation. The fascists, who fled away after August 5, are being benefited due to the conflicts among the anti-fascists protesters," he added.

Demanding exemplary punishment of Awami League, Kaikobad said, "The movement of 2024 was a movement of mass people and students. The Awami League was vicious on the mass people. The people would be aggrieved, if they are not punished. They should be punished, so that such offences are not committed in future."

Regarding relations between the government and businessmen, he said, "I do not believe in such relations that Awami League kept with the business community. The relations must be kept, but considering the country's interests. It's true that the result of ignoring the businesses can never be good."

In response to a question over his expectations to this interim government, the former state minister said, "We want a free and fair election only. Only an elected political government can legalise this interim government and its activities."


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