The BNP has "no fascination" for its ally Jamaat-e-Islami, says its Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.
“When we are questioned about Jamaat, I tell you, See BNP is not Jamaat. BNP doesn’t believe in Islamic laws, it doesn’t believe in fundamentalism,” he said in an interview with the Indian Express.
The BNP stitched up an alliance with Jamaat, which openly opposed Bangladesh’s 1971 struggle for freedom from Pakistan, in 2001 and was in office for the term that ended in 2006.
In recent years, several Jamaat leaders, including its chief Motiur Rahman Nijami have been executed for crimes against humanity during the 1971 Liberation War.
Its other leaders hanged for war crimes are secretary general Ali Ahsan Md Mujaheed, assistant secretaries general Md Kamaruzzaman, Abdul Kader Molla and Mir Quasem Ali.
Jamaat guru Ghulam Azam died while serving a prison sentence until death for 1971 war crimes. Its policymaking leader Delwar Hossain Sayeede is now in jail after sentenced to prison till death.
The party lost its registration with the Election Commission after the court’s order but found its way to the national election, blessed by the BNP.
At least 22 of its leaders are contesting the Dec 30 polls under the BNP’s banner using its logo paddy sheaf and three as independent candidates.
Speaking to the Indian news outlet, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul described their relation with Jamaat as ‘a strategic tie up’.
“With them, we have an advantage in 50 seats where the margin is thin and the fight is tough. Without us, they are reduced to just three seats,” he said.
Asked whether Jamaat will be part of a future government, Mirza Fakhrul replied, “No way.”