If the referendum verdict is upheld, Oli Ahmed would have been the president: Jamaat

If the referendum verdict is upheld, the candidate of the 11-party unity, Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Chairman Col. (retd.) Oli Ahmed, would have been the president, Jamaat-e-Islami has commented.

Jamaat-e-Islami Assistant Secretary General Hamidur Rahman Azad made this comment after submitting the presidential election nomination papers on behalf of Oli Ahmed to the Election Commission on Thursday (August 12).

Hamidur Rahman Azad said that the parliamentarians should have had the opportunity to freely express their opinions. They believe that if the referendum verdict is implemented and upheld, Colonel Oli Ahmed would have won the votes of the parliamentarians by a huge margin.

He also said that if the referendum verdict is implemented, BNP could have remained free from controversy. However, in the current situation, the 11-party unity has decided to field its own candidate in the presidential election.

The Jamaat leader also objected to the holding of a meeting of top leaders of political parties at the Secretariat. According to him, such political meetings are not desirable at the Secretariat.

Regarding the submission of nomination papers, Hamidur Rahman Azad said that all the necessary information and data on behalf of Oli Ahmed has been submitted to the Election Commission in a skillful manner.

Describing the presidential election as exceptional, he said that in the past, it was usually seen that the majority party in parliament would field a candidate for the post of president. This time, the 11-party alliance has decided to contest and Oli Ahmed has been fielded.

Hamidur Rahman Azad said that the 11 parties have fielded candidates in the presidential election with the aim of creating a new trend in democratic practice in Bangladesh. For them, winning or losing is not the main issue; rather, competing in the election is important.

He also accused the BNP of resorting to tactics to ensure a majority in parliament. He claimed that the BNP has ensured its majority in parliament through various tactics.

Those concerned believe that a new political equation has been created in the election with the nomination of Oli Ahmed by the 11-party alliance ahead of the presidential election.