Special Correspondent: Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General and former lawmaker Mia Golam Parwar on Friday pledged to build a clean, corruption-free and humane Bangladesh if his party comes to power.
Speaking as the chief guest at a student and youth rally in Dumuria upazila of the district, Parwar said Jamaat leaders would not use government vehicles or residences if elected in the upcoming election.
"Any government allocation received by parliament members and ministers will be used solely for development purposes, and accounts will be submitted with transparency," he said.
Recalling his tenure as a member of parliament (MP) after being elected in 2001, Parwar said he had vowed to rid Dumuria of terrorism, which he claimed to have achieved.
"During my five-year tenure, I implemented development projects worth Taka 350 crore, including roads, bridges, culverts, educational institutions, power supply, mosques and temples. Every expense was recorded and shared with the people," he added.
He also criticized successive MPs and ministers for looting state resources and even taking bribes to approve MPO enlistment of educational institutions.
On local issues, he highlighted persistent waterlogging in the upazila caused by silted rivers and poorly maintained embankments since the 1960s.
He said the government is now preparing a master plan involving thousands of crores of taka to resolve the crisis through short, mid and long-term measures.
Parwar further pledged to eliminate youth unemployment if Jamaat comes to power, promising jobs for all graduates and unemployment allowances where jobs are unavailable.
Jamaat Assistant Secretary General Maulana Rafiqul Islam Khan, Dhaka Metropolitan South Jamaat Secretary Dr Shafiqul Islam Masud, Islami Chhatra Shibir President Muhammad Zahidul Islam and Secretary General Muhammad Nurul Islam Saddam addressed the event as special guests. Dumuria Upazila Jamaat chief Maulana Mukhtar Hossain presided over the programme.
Among others, Khulna district Jamaat Amir Maulana Emran Hossain, local Hindu community leaders Krishna Nandi, Dr Haridash Mondal and Principal Deb Prasad Mondal also spoke.