In a fiery political salvo aimed at discrediting its former ally, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Central Committee Senior Member Kazi Alauddin branded Jamaat-e-Islami as “a party of traitors” whose “words and actions never match,” accusing the Islamist outfit of political hypocrisy and historical betrayal.

Speaking at the biannual conference of the Jatiyatabadi Mahila Dal held at Srifalkati Secondary School ground in Shyamnagar of Satkhira, on Wednesday, Alauddin delivered a blistering critique of Jamaat’s shifting ideological stance – particularly on women’s leadership – and alleged that the party conspired to sabotage national elections out of fear of political extinction.

Alauddin zeroed in on Jamaat’s ideological flip-flops, highlighting what he called “shameless opportunism.”

“They once declared women’s leadership haram – forbidden in Islam. Yet in 1991, they shamelessly asked Begum Khaleda Zia for three reserved women’s seats! And in 1996? They jumped into bed with the Awami League and handed them power,” Alauddin thundered to a cheering crowd.

He drew a sharp historical parallel: “Had Jamaat not allied with the Awami League in 1996, they would’ve suffered the same fate as the Muslim League, vanished into political oblivion.”

The veteran BNP leader accused Jamaat of now “pretending to embrace women” purely for electoral survival, a charge he called “the height of hypocrisy.”

Alauddin did not stop at past betrayals. He issued a stark warning about Jamaat’s current intentions.

“They know they can’t win. They can’t even be a credible opposition. So, what do they do? They conspire to disrupt the national elections to create chaos, to delegitimize the process, to hide their irrelevance.”

Turning to BNP’s own legacy, Alauddin invoked the name of late President Ziaur Rahman, founder of the party and a decorated hero of the 1971 Liberation War.

“BNP was born from the blood of 1971, never compromised with injustice. After Zia’s martyrdom, Begum Khaleda Zia took up the mantle with iron resolve,” he declared.

He accused ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of running a “16-year dictatorship,” alleging mass imprisonment, torture, and killings of BNP leaders and activists. “Millions have suffered. Countless lives lost. But we have not bowed.”

In a significant political signal, Alauddin credited BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, currently in exile in London, as the “mastermind” behind the July 2024 mass movement against the government.

“Under his strategic guidance, BNP took to the streets to resist this fascist regime. The people responded. The momentum is ours.”

He ended with a rallying cry: “The next election is our turning point. Everyone, every patriot, every victim of tyranny — must unite behind BNP. Victory is not just possible, it is inevitable.”

The conference, chaired by upazila unit Mahila Dal President Nurjahan Parvin Jhorna, saw strong attendance from senior female BNP leaders, including: Farida Akhter Beauty, District Mahila Dal President, Saleka Haque Keya, former Organising Secretary, Professor Ashiq Elahi Munna, Khan Abdus Sabur, Anwarul Haque, and Abdullah Al Qayyum – all prominent local BNP figures.