Describing the BNP's move to float Jamaat-e-Islami members for the polls as 'stupid,' Jatiya Oikya Front leader Dr Kamal Hossain said that he would never have been a part of the newly-formed opposition coalition had he known it would be the case.
In an interview with Indian Express, the Gano Forum chief also expressed his discomfort towards the BNP track record with India.
Jamaat, which that openly opposed Bangladesh’s 1971 struggle for freedom from Pakistan and lost its registration with the Election Commission after the court’s order found its way to the national election, blessed by the BNP.
At least 22 of its members are contesting in the Dec 30 polls under the BNP banner using its logo paddy sheaf and three as independent candidates
“I am sorry to say that fielding ex-Jamaat people is stupid. I had given it in writing that there will be no support to Jamaat, no bringing in religion, fundamentalism, extremism etc,” Dr Kamal told the Indian Express.
“Had I known (that Jamaat leaders will be given BNP tickets), I would not have been part of it, but I will not stay a single day if these people have any role in the future government,” he added.
On BNP’s poor track record with India, Dr Kamal says, “BNP has told India that we have been wrong. When Khaleda Zia went to India, she told them. It was part of their rehabilitation process, she began to correct (the position).”