Opposition leader and Jamaat-e-Islami chief Shafiqur Rahman accused the government of acting as an “exact copy” of the previous fascist rulers. Speaking at an event at the Press Club on Sunday, he said the government should not forget the suffering of 17 years and alleged that it was carrying out repression against opposition parties.

Rahman said nothing new was being witnessed, claiming that the current authorities were repeating what the previous fascists had done. He questioned why the verdict of 70 percent of people was being ignored. He also referred to the 1970 election, saying that ignoring that election had led to the events of 1971.

The Jamaat chief also responded to BNP criticism over the 1996 election. He said BNP had been able to form a government in 1991 because of Jamaat’s selfless support. Rahman further alleged that partisan individuals had been placed in an institution meant to remain neutral, such as the Election Commission.