Jamaat Islami declared a candidate for Rajshahi City Corporation, RCC election, but did not take the nomination paper. They did not provide support to alliance partner, BNP’s candidate, Mosaddek Hossain Bulbul either.
Jamaat says there is no point in providing support as a conducive atmosphere for polls is missing. Terrified of administration, our leaders/activists are wary of field level operation.
It’s believed Jamaat started preparation to contest in the upcoming RCC polls with principal Md Siddik Hossain as candidate for mayor.
In a strategic move, under the banner of Rajshahi Nagorik Parishad, posters with Siddik Hossain were plastered around the city.
But locals believe that since the party is beleaguered, it will stay out of RCC polls at the order of its central command.
However, they have councillor candidates in different wards.
Rajshahi city Jamaat Nayeb Ameer, Abu Yusuf Selim told Bangla Tribune: “as per the decision of the central committee there won’t be any candidate for Rajshahi and Barishal.”
On the other hand, we will have a candidate in Sylhet, he added.
He further said that posters were printed and plastered before the decision came from the centre.
“We are victims of persecution for a long time,”
Every month, 20-25 activists are arrested against 9-10 releases from prison, lamented Abu Yusuf, saying: “that’s why we cannot organize anything."