Jamaat workers will not be able to take to the streets if we make an announcement: Israk Hossain

Engineer Israk Hossain, the BNP-nominated candidate for Dhaka-6 constituency, has said that if BNP wants, no Jamaat candidate will be able to take to the streets in Dhaka city. He said, “Whether it is Jamaat or anyone else—if we make an announcement, they will not be able to be in the field politically in Dhaka city.”

He said these things in response to questions from journalists during an election rally in front of Suritola School in Bangshal, the capital, around 11:30 am on Friday (January 23). Local BNP leaders and activists were present with him at the time.

Engineer Israk Hossain said, “We came to this place through a movement and struggle, we did not come floating. We have a long struggle of 17 years, we are standing here today in exchange for the blood of countless leaders and activists.” He claimed that BNP has been protesting on the streets in the face of bullets and repression, while others were not in that struggle.

Reacting to a statement by a Jamaat candidate, Ishraq Hossain said that such comments in an important constituency like Dhaka are sad and ridiculous. In his words, “These words have now become a joke. They are only saying these things to keep their leaders and activists motivated.”

He raised the question and said, “Where were they all this time? After August 5, especially after August 24, this secret army suddenly emerged.” Ishraq Hossain alleged that they used to march in the dark in the early morning, when the roads were empty—that was their so-called movement.

The BNP candidate also said, “We have stood on the streets with our chests full, facing bullets. They also know that there is a possibility of their deposit being forfeited in all the constituencies in Dhaka city.” He claimed that these statements are just a tactic to keep the morale of the leaders and activists up.

Ishraq Hossain said in a stern tone, "If they have any other motive, then I want to make it clear - we will expel them from Dhaka long before the elections."

Leaders and activists of various organizations including the local BNP, Jubo Dal, Chhatra Dal were present during the mass mobilization and participated in the program to seek votes for the sheaf of rice.