Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman today spoke at an election rally organised by the 11-party alliance at Kurigram College ground. Photo : BSS

KURIGRAM, Feb 4, 2026 (BSS) – Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman today said that the state itself was forcing government officials and employees towards corruption by failing to ensure them a dignified livelihood.

“Many government officials and employees do not receive salaries sufficient for survival. In effect, the state is pushing them towards corruption,” he said while addressing an election rally organised by the 11-party alliance at Kurigram College ground this noon.

Jamaat Ameer said, “A state that cannot show respect to its public servants has no moral authority to judge them when crimes occur.”

Outlining his party’s election pledges, Dr Rahman said development would begin from the country’s most neglected regions, particularly northern Bangladesh.

“If we come to power, we will revive the Teesta..It will no longer remain a desert. The river will become an economic hub, hydropower will be generated, and water will be supplied across the entire northern region,” he said.

He asserted that Jamaat-e-Islami had never abandoned the country in times of crisis. “We are not seasonal birds who flee during danger. We have stood by the people in both joy and sorrow. We will remain rooted in this soil and never leave our people behind,” he said.

Referring to alleged capital flight, the Jamaat Ameer claimed that nearly Tk 28 lakh crore had been siphoned off abroad.

“If Allah grants us the opportunity through your love and support, we promise to recover this stolen money,” he said, adding that those responsible would be identified and the funds brought back.

Dr Rahman said Jamaat did not seek to establish a partisan, dynastic or group-based government. “Even we do not seek the victory of Jamaat. We want the victory of 180 million people,” he said.

Claiming that a nationwide movement had already begun, he said, “The journey of this victory started from the banks of the Teesta. A wave of liberation is now sweeping across the country, and women have been our greatest strength in this movement.”

He pledged to ensure full safety and dignity for women, saying their security would be guaranteed at any cost.

Addressing the recent cyber incidents, Dr Rahman said his X (formerly Twitter) account had been hacked four days earlier to spread false propaganda. “Our cyber team quickly identified the culprit and the police arrested him. Truth never remains hidden,” he said.

Referring to the July movement in the Rangpur region, he recalled Abu Sayed’s death, saying his bravery had ignited the uprising.

He also mentioned Abrar Fahad, Sharif Osman Hadi and others, claiming that around 1,400 people had been martyred. “We will never betray with the blood of these martyrs,” he said.

Speaking on rivers and development, Dr Rahman alleged that funds allocated in the name of river erosion control had been looted, leaving rivers “reduced to skeletons”.

He reiterated that development would begin from Kurigram if his party came to power.

On religious harmony, the Jamaat Ameer said Bangladesh was home to people of all faiths and communities. “We will not tolerate discrimination. There will be no minority or majority—only merit, patriotism and responsibility,” he said.

National Citizen Party (NCP) Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain, Kurigram district Jamaat Ameer Azizur Rahman Swapan, candidates from the district’s four parliamentary constituencies, and senior leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami and the 11-party alliance also addressed the rally.