Dhaka:BNP acting Secretary General Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi criticized Jamaat-e-Islami for allegedly maintaining double standards, accusing the party of making promises in the name of Islam and Allah for political gain but acting contrary to those pledges.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Rizvi claimed that Jamaat-e-Islami follows the path of what he termed as Hasina's fascism while sometimes attempting to form alliances with the BNP for the sake of power. Rizvi, who is also a political adviser to the prime minister, made these remarks at a doa mahfil commemorating the 25th death anniversary of former BNP vice-chairman Advocate Afsar Ahmad Siddiqui at the Jatiya Press Club.
In response to comments from the Jamaat chief that the BNP is following the path of fascism, Rizvi asserted that the BNP is the only party with the strength to resist such tendencies and remains committed to its promises. He highlighted the sacrifices made by BNP leaders and workers, who have faced killings, enforced disappearances, false cases, imprisonment, and repression, but have not deviated from their democratic ideology.
Rizvi questioned whether Jamaat-e-Islami shares the same conviction, noting that the party has not established a clear ideological stance on democracy or the country's independence, leading to public suspicion.
He also paid tribute to Afsar Ahmad Siddiqui, describing him as a distinguished politician and selfless leader, whose classic political contributions are rare in today's politics. Rizvi expressed gratitude for the lessons learned from Siddiqui, which have been influential in his own life.
The event was also addressed by BNP Health Affairs Secretary Dr. Rafiqul Islam, Volunteer Affairs Secretary Mir Sarfat Ali Sapu, and Chhatra Dal Vice-President Touhidur Rahman Awal, under the chairmanship of Afsar Ahmad Smriti Foundation Convener Jahanara Siddiqui.