The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Matiur Rahman Nizami who has been charge-sheeted as an accused in the GATCO corruption case said Saturday that his party would resort to both legal and political means to fight against the case he termed politically motivated.

"When the court process will start in the case, my lawyers and the party will definitely face it legally. But since it does not seem merely a legal matter, rather politically motivated, political workers will obviously face it politically besides the legal means," he said.

Talking to UNB at Jamaat central office, Nizami claimed himself above any corruption or irregularity as Agriculture and Industry Minister and said, "The way it is unacceptable to me to be an accused in corruption, it is also unacceptable to those who know me and love me."

The Jamaat chief, who was an influential figure in the past BNP-led coalition government, said he had no involvement in any corruption whatsoever. "My only offence is I was a member of the purchase committee. I have no other offence."

He questioned if one is accused of corruption only for being member of the purchase committee, then the question obvious comes to public mind why the Secretaries of the ministries concerned who played important role on the purchase committee were not charge-sheeted.

Last Thursday a metropolitan court issued arrest warrants against 12 'absconding accused', including Nizami and four other cabinet ministers of the 4-party alliance government, in the GATCO scam case principally pressed against detained former prime minister Khaleda Zia.

Nizami said his name was not on the FIR but later on he was included.

"What is most painful is I was shown absconding in a disgusting way. This is a blatant falsehood, which does not suit the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC)."

He noted that corruption originates in falsehood. "If the ACC takes recourse to falsehood to arrange a case against a person, how the corruption could be curbed by such an institution. Rather, it becomes an instrument of repressing politicians, which is damaging for the ACC," he said.

Nizami said none could raise the allegation of corruption or irregularity during his 20 months as Agriculture Minister and 40 months as Industry Minister. A corrupt person cannot run a ministry so transparently. Even such charge didn't come 16 months into the state of emergency.

He said different agencies and media tried to detect irregularities by looking through microscope but they failed. Similarly, there is no evidence of corruption against Jamaat secretary general Ali Ahsan Muhammad Mujaheed who was the Social Welfare Minister.

Asked when he plans to go to court, Nizami said he would act on advice of his lawyers.

Asked whether Jamaat would go for movement alone or with other parties if he was arrested, he said all past movements were launched unitedly whenever an unelected government was imposed on the nation blocking the road to democracy and people's voting right.

He observed it is being noticed that efforts were made to create rift among political parties and within the parties since the declaration of the state of emergency. Perhaps it is being done as part of a plan to seal the path of a united movement.

"Despite this, people of this country are sentinels of democracy and Bangladesh is the fruition of democratic movement. There is no reason to think that people's indomitable spirit for democracy would not be rekindled."

Asked if he foresees political unrest after his arrest, he said, "If arrested, I would have nothing to do as other leaders of my party will be in charge in his absence. Our party is based on democratic values. Whatever the party thinks fit, it will take the decision accordingly."

Asked about Jamaat's stance on the government-proposed dialogue, Nizami said there is no instance from the government to create an enabling environment to make the dialogue fruitful through participation of all parties.

Rather, he alleged, the government, having failed to realize the present political reality, is taking steps to spoil the pre-dialogue atmosphere.

"I like to say in clear terms our party view is that this government is backed by the army. Army is the symbol of the nation's independence and sovereignty. Failure of this government will have far-reaching effect."

Nizami said, "We apprehend a national disaster if there be any deviation from holding credible elections according to the roadmap and handing over power to elected representatives."

The Jamaat chief said, "It is no one's expectation that the army-backed government should face off the people. But it seems that the government is pushing the country towards that end."

Nizami said the only responsibility of the caretaker government is to hold a credible election to parliament with the participation of all political parties.

By realizing the reality, he said, the government should release all political leaders, including the two top leaders-Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina.

He said the government must refrain from arresting politicians afresh. Otherwise, it would not be possible to hold an election participated by all.