Islami Andolan does not engage in ‘gupto’ politics: Faizul Karim

Islami Andolan Bangladesh Senior Nayeb-e-Ameer Syed Muhammad Faizul Karim has said his party does not engage in "gupto" (covert) politics.

"Whatever Islami Andolan says publicly, it practices in reality," he said at a workers' rally organised on the occasion of International Workers' Day this afternoon (1 May), reports The Daily Star.

Referring to questions raised after the election about unity initiatives, Faizul said, "People have asked why we called for unity, formed platforms, and then withdrew. Islami Andolan joined alliances for Islam and left them for Islam. The party cannot deceive or betray the people."

He added, "Islami Andolan can give up power for Islam, but it cannot abandon Islam for power."

Criticising current parliamentary discourse, he said time is being wasted debating who is or is not a freedom fighter. "Some are even trying to present themselves as child freedom fighters, which is absurd," he said.

He suggested that individuals should clearly state which members of their families were freedom fighters, where they fought, and whether they were martyred.

Faizul also said he expects the opposition to introduce a bill in parliament in favour of Shariah law and to stage a walkout if it is not passed. "We do not want to see political evasiveness," he said.

He reiterated that Islami Andolan seeks the establishment of Islamic governance in the country, stating, "The last election was not a people's election; it was a managed one."

He also claimed that the party was defeated through a conspiracy in the national election due to its stance in favour of Islam.

Alleging a plot to destabilise the country, Faizul questioned the sudden "re-emergence of militancy", claiming that no such presence was reported during the previous interim government.