Dhaka, Feb. 13 -- The rise of Jamaat-e-Islami is a consequence of the Awami League's repression of opposition parties over the past 15 years, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has said.

His remarks came while speaking to journalists at his residence in the Kalibari area of Thakurgaon town on Friday morning.

Mirza Fakhrul was elected from Thakurgaon-1 with the paddy sheaf symbol in the 13th general election. BNP candidates also won the other two constituencies in the district.

Responding to a question about Jamaat's rise, the BNP leader said: "This has happened as a result of 15 years of fascist rule. It's a science, a part of political science."

"Whenever democracy is suppressed and people's voices are gagged, regressi...