The Joypurhat district unit of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has strongly refuted reports regarding 20 of its activists joining the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), describing the event as a “staged drama” and “politically motivated.”
The controversy began following a program on Tuesday night (January 20) at the BNP election office in Shuktahar More, Jamalpur Union. Reports circulated that 20 Jamaat activists joined the BNP by presenting a bouquet to Masud Rana Prodhan, the BNP-nominated candidate for the Joypurhat-1 (Sadar-Panchbibi) constituency.
The event was attended by several local BNP and affiliate leaders, including sadar upazila Krishak Dal President Anwar Hossain Dipu, district Jubo Dal convener ATM Shahnewaz Kabir Shuvro, and Jamalpur Union BNP President Mofazzal Hossain. Kazi Monjure Maola Palash, District Krishak Dal Member Secretary, initially confirmed the joining to the media.
However, in a press statement issued on Wednesday, Hasibul Alam, the District Assistant Secretary of Jamaat-e-Islami, and Maulana Delowar Hossain, Jamalpur Union Jamaat Ameer, categorically denied any connection with the individuals involved.
To support their claim, the leaders provided the specific political identities of seven of the individuals, asserting they were never involved with Jamaat.
“We clearly declare that none of the individuals who joined the BNP were ever members, activists, or followers of Jamaat-e-Islami or its associate organizations. It appears that some BNP individuals are trying to gain political leverage ahead of the national parliamentary elections by spreading such fabricated and misleading information.”
Jamaat leaders characterized the incident as a “planned propaganda” effort designed to create public resentment against their party. They labeled the act as a violation of political etiquette and warned of legal action if such “baseless and defamatory” reports continue to circulate.
The statement concluded with a call for responsible journalism, urging media outlets to verify facts before publishing news that could mislead the public.