Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Nayeb-e-Ameer and former MP Dr Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher has alleged a deep conspiracy surrounding the upcoming election.

He also warned that the country’s people will never accept what he described as Indian dominance or undue influence.

Speaking as the chief guest at an election rally in Sriapur union in Cumilla`s Chauddagram upazila on Friday evening, Taher said he had seen reports of the government’s security adviser visiting India and demanded the authorities clarify what was discussed during the trip.

He said the people of Bangladesh had “driven out Indian hegemony with blood and sacrifice” and would not accept subservience to any external power. If the interim government bows to what he called India’s unjust demands, “its future will not be good,” he warned.

Taher claimed that if a referendum on electoral reform were held before the national election, 80 percent of voters would support reform and, by extension, his party’s position.

He accused the interim government of falling into a “trap,” deceiving the public, and failing to reflect the people’s will.

He reiterated that one major political party does not want reform and prefers to maintain outdated electoral rules. By avoiding reforms, he said, the sacrifices of martyrs would be dishonored. Although the government initially agreed to a referendum, he alleged it later postponed it through “manipulation.”

Taher argued that a referendum and a national election are separate processes, but the BNP opposes holding a referendum independently. Referencing student union election results such as DUCSU, JUCSU, RUCSU, and CUCSU, he claimed the outcome of a reform vote would be clear.