A few Islamist parties on Thursday warned of launching a “March to Dhaka programme” to press home their three-point demand, including July Charter implementation and holding of the referendum before the planned national elections in February next year.
They said that if the government refrains from meeting their demands, they will take alternative ways.
“The government has announced that the election will be held in February. February is approaching, but the date for the referendum has not yet been announced. The referendum must be held before the election,” Jamaat-e-Islami Nayeb-e-Ameer Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher said while addressing a rally at Paltan in the capital.
“If our demand is not met even after submitting a memorandum to the Chief Adviser, then we will observe our Dhaka March programme on November 11. The day will be marked as the day for realising our demand,” he said.
Earlier, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and seven other parties, involved in the ongoing movement, announced the programme to submit a memorandum to the chief adviser, demanding the issuance of an order to implement the July Charter and to hold the referendum on that order by November.
They also urged the government to ensure level playing field before the elections.
With processions from different corners of the capital, leaders and activists of eight parties Jamaat-e-Islami, Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Khelafat Majlish, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish, Bangladesh Khelafat Andolan, Bangladesh Nezame Islam Party, Jatiya Ganatantrik Party (JAGPA), and Bangladesh Development Party gathered at Paltan intersection, halting traffic in surrounding areas.
Addressing the rally, Taher said there is no legal barrier to holding the referendum even after the election schedule is announced.
“Delaying this will put the interim government in trouble. In that case, a new path will emerge,” he said.
“Some people talk about the cost of the referendum. The amount of extortion that takes place in Bangladesh in one day is enough to fund a referendum. So, there will be no shortage of money for it.”
Jamaat has called on political parties to engage in dialogue because Jamaat wants elections, solutions, peace, and implementation of the July Charter, Taher said.
“The government has also urged parties to hold discussions, but the government must play its role in this,” he added.
Mentioning that Jamaat has already formed a committee to hold talks with other parties, he said discussions must begin immediately.
Taher said that he phoned BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday morning for discussions but could not reach him.
“He (Mirza Fakhrul) will be called again so that the BNP also decides to join the talks,” he said.
Addressing the rally, Islami Andolan spokesperson Gazi Ataur Rahman said, “The referendum must be held first, even if the election is delayed. Those, who say no reforms are needed, there will be no discussions with them.”
After the rally, a protest march headed for Jamuna, the official residence of Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus.
When the march reached the Matsya Bhaban area around 12:30pm, police intercepted it.
Later, a nine-member delegation from the eight parties went to Jamuna to submit the memorandum to the chief adviser.
