The Jamaat-led 11-party alliance will stage a long march from Dhaka to Kushtia via Khulna on Saturday, pressing the government to implement the referendum verdict and fulfil six other demands, including justice for the July killings and an end to corruption and extortion.
Announcing the programme at a press conference at Jamaat-e-Islami’s central office in Dhaka on Friday, the party’s Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar accused the government of refusing to recognise the referendum results, saying the move was creating a political crisis.
He said the issue must be resolved in parliament.
Porwar alleged that the BNP government had accepted the results of the parliamentary election held on the same day as the referendum but was refusing to implement the outcome of the latter.
“You accepted one vote and became prime minister and MPs, but rejected the other,” he said.
He also noted that the BNP and its current prime minister had previously urged people to participate in the referendum and had not questioned its constitutional validity before assuming office.
With the next parliamentary session scheduled for 9 November, Porwar urged the government to convene the Constitutional Reform Council and settle the matter through parliament. He said the opposition was ready to cooperate.
Warning that failure to implement the referendum verdict could further aggravate the political situation, he accused the government of adopting an authoritarian approach that could push the country towards confrontation.
Seven-point demands
The alliance’s seven demands include implementation of the referendum verdict, arrest and trial of those responsible for the July killings, resolution of shortages of electricity, fuel, gas and fertiliser, and measures to control rising prices of essential commodities.
The other demands are improvement of the law and order situation, an end to political interference in public administration and institutions, and action against corruption, extortion and land grabbing.
On the July killings, Porwar said more than 1,000 people had been killed and around 40,000 injured during the movement. Many of the injured were still receiving treatment at home and abroad, he added.
He called for the immediate arrest and trial of those involved in the killings.
Blaming the government for the deteriorating law and order situation, he alleged that murder, violence, extortion and internal party clashes had increased. He also claimed that around 200 people had been killed in conflicts within the BNP.
Porwar further alleged that political influence had spread across public institutions, including the Secretariat, district administrations, the Election Commission, educational institutions and the judiciary.
He said the BNP had pledged during the election campaign to keep public institutions free from political interference.
On extortion and land grabbing, he alleged that the practice continued at markets, river terminals, sand extraction sites, transport stands and rickshaw stands.
“Extortion was happening before, and it is still happening. Only the places and people have changed; the party name and signboards have changed, but the practice remains the same,” he said.
Long march to begin at Baitul Mukarram
Outlining the programme, Porwar said the long march would begin with an inaugural rally at 7am on Saturday at the south gate of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque.
The convoy is scheduled to set off at 8am, travelling along the Dhaka-Mawa highway through Bhanga, Gopalganj and Faridpur before reaching Khulna. It will then proceed through Jashore and Jhenaidah, with the programme scheduled to end at Kushtia District Stadium.
He urged participants to maintain discipline and refrain from provocative speeches and slogans. Even if an unpleasant situation arises along the route, participants should remain inside their vehicles and exercise patience and restraint, he said.
Acknowledging that the programme might cause temporary inconvenience to businesses, pedestrians, shopkeepers and small traders, Parwar apologised to those who could be affected.
Jamaat alleges irregularities in Thakurgaon-1 by-election
At the press conference, Porwar also alleged irregularities in the Thakurgaon-1 by-election.
He claimed that presiding and polling officers had performed their duties without identification cards or badges, polling agents had been forced out of polling centres, votes had been cast on behalf of others, and there had been attempts to remove ballot boxes before the results were announced.
Questioning statements made by the Election Commission secretary and chief election commissioner, he said the party had information supporting its allegations.
The party would announce its position on the election results after reviewing and analysing information gathered from the field, he added.
“We have not yet commented on the results,” he said.
Porwar also dismissed speculation about divisions within the 11-party alliance, saying its senior leaders had met to discuss preparations for the long march. He maintained that the alliance would remain united until its demands were met.
