Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie, BNP campaign secretary recently released from jail, has asserted that BNP maintains no alliance with Jamaat.

In an interview conducted by a media outlet in Dhaka, the former member of parliament stated, "We (BNP) do not have an alliance with Jamaat. However, for the cause of democracy on the streets and in the interest of human rights, we are organising programmes, as are other political parties. Simultaneously, Jamaat is organising similar programmes to ours. This does not pose a problem. Fascists are a greater concern than Jamaat in a country."

According to Annie, questioning the nationalist politics of BNP from the point of view of Jamaat is part of Awami League's political propaganda and, as they are disseminating misinformation and rumours through various means.

He mentioned, "Awami League protested alongside Jamaat in 1986 and 1996. There was a concurrent movement. Even (Hasina) held meetings with the top policymakers of Jamaat (Nizami/Ghulam Azam) during this movement. However, upon returning to power, there has been a distance between Awami League and Jamaat."

Annie further stated that while Jamaat engages in its own politics, Awami League refrains from doing so. He emphasised, "This is why I assert that an authoritarian government clings to power by holding the democratic rights of the common people and all political parties hostage. Our grassroots leaders and workers have launched a significant movement and struggle."

This prominent leader highlighted that ordinary citizens have joined BNP's movement.

He remarked, "Thousands of us have united through a series of programmes. We (BNP) have organised mass rallies, grand rallies, mass marches, and protests." He added that these programmes were conducted peacefully.

Annie noted that hundreds of thousands participated in their programmes, indicating the country's desire for a free and fair election. He stressed that the people will assert this right through a democratic movement.