BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Monday, February 9, 2026, said that Jamaat-e-Islami would not have had the opportunity to do politics in independent Bangladesh without Shaheed Ziaur Rahman, and that its leaders would not have tasted ministerial power without Begum Khaleda Zia. Speaking at a campaign rally at the Kurigram Central Eidgah ground, Rizvi criticized Jamaat’s stance on women’s leadership, referring to a recent media interview where Jamaat leaders said women could be members of parliament but not party or state heads.

Rizvi questioned whether such views represented the protection of women’s rights, pointing out that BNP’s chairperson was a woman. He alleged that Jamaat’s statements revealed a hidden intent to limit women’s participation in politics and public life if they came to power. Rizvi also accused the government of torturing Khaleda Zia in prison, denying her medical care, and poisoning her food.

He urged voters to support the BNP’s election symbol, the paddy sheaf, saying victory would be a protest against Sheikh Hasina’s injustices. The event also featured BNP candidate Sohel Hosnain Kaykobad and local party leaders.