Mufti Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim, Amir of Islami Andolan Bangladesh, stated that Bangladesh cannot be properly governed by corrupt individuals. Speaking on February 2, 2026, at a rally in Cumilla-09 (Laksam–Monoharganj), he said the nation’s founding goals of equality, human dignity, and social justice had been undermined by those who led the state after independence. He alleged that crimes such as murder, abduction, and rape have increased, and that illicit money transfers abroad have created areas like ‘Begumpara’.

He added that after the mass uprising, there had been hopes for a just state, but political allies preferred to continue under the existing system instead of establishing governance based on Sharia law. As a result, Islami Andolan Bangladesh is contesting the election independently under the ‘hand fan’ symbol. Candidate Selim Mahmud, who presided over the rally, called voting a sacred trust and urged voters to support Islam against extortionists and tender manipulators.

Mahmud pledged to work as a servant of the people, promising to make Laksam a district, Monoharganj a municipality, and Natherpetua a police station if elected.