An opposition alliance led by Jamaat-e-Islami has stepped up political activity, accusing the government of reneging on its commitments to reform and vowing to maintain pressure through sustained programmes and public engagement.
The coalition says it will focus on issues affecting daily life — including shortages of fuel, gas and electricity — both to keep the government under pressure and to build public support ahead of upcoming local government elections.
Opposition parties have already completed the first phase of their campaign demanding implementation of the July Charter following a referendum. They have now entered a second phase, marked by nationwide rallies, processions and demonstrations organised by alliance partners.
At the same time, efforts are under way to shape public opinion through a series of meetings, seminars and gatherings in Dhaka and other major cities. As part of this drive, a major rally is scheduled for Friday at Suhrawardy Udyan, organised by Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis under the leadership of Mamunul Haque, calling for the implementation of the referendum verdict.
Another large gathering is planned at the same venue on Saturday, bringing together participants described as “July fighters” and their family members, organised by Jamaat-e-Islami.
The alliance intends to continue public outreach through meetings and seminars until the end of the month. Senior leaders say they will review the government’s position on reform after the first session of parliament concludes, and may announce more “pressure-building” programmes by mid-May.
While insisting that their aim is not to destabilise the government, opposition leaders say their objective is to compel it to honour its commitments.
Rafiqul Islam Khan, assistant secretary-general of Jamaat and a member of parliament for Sirajganj-4, told TIMES of Bangladesh that nearly 70% of voters supported the July Charter in the referendum.
“The government is trying to ignore that mandate. We will not accept this. More programmes will be announced in phases. The opposition cannot remain inactive on issues affecting the public,” he said.
The latest round of programmes was announced by Jamaat Secretary-General Mia Golam Porwar following a meeting of an 11-party liaison committee in Dhaka’s Moghbazar. The schedule includes nationwide rallies and demonstrations from 18 April to 2 May, with plans for larger events in Dhaka thereafter.
Beyond parliamentary activity and street protests, the opposition alliance is also placing strategic importance on upcoming local government elections.
Several leaders said the coalition aims to build a strong presence in union parishad, upazila parishad, municipality and city corporation elections. They believe ongoing programmes will help strengthen organisational capacity and expand political influence at the national level.
Ahsanul Mahboob Zubair, another assistant secretary-general of Jamaat and head of its media wing, reiterated the alliance’s stance.
“We are clearly stating that the referendum result must be implemented. We will compel the government to enforce the July Charter,” he said.
Tensions in parliament spill onto the streets
Political tensions escalated during the first session of the new parliament, particularly over the approval and amendment of ordinances. On 10 April, opposition lawmakers led by Shafiqul Rahman staged a walkout.
“We are leaving parliament with regret,” he said at the time, accusing the ruling party of breaching political understanding.
Following the walkout, opposition parties intensified their street-based programmes.
Akhter Hossen, member secretary of National Citizen Party and MP for Rangpur-4, said the government cannot sidestep reform commitments.
“The July Charter cannot be ignored. The people’s verdict must be respected. We will remain active both inside parliament and on the streets,” he said.
Why the ‘breach of trust’ claim
Under constitutional provisions, ordinances must be approved within 30 days of the first parliamentary sitting, which began on 12 March. As this did not occur, 13 ordinances automatically lapsed. A further seven were annulled through four bills, bringing the total number of voided ordinances to 20.
Key ordinances that lapsed or were repealed include those related to enforced disappearance prevention and remedy, strengthening the Anti-Corruption Commission, formation of a police commission, appointment of Supreme Court judges, establishment of a Supreme Court secretariat, the National Human Rights Commission, referendum provisions, amendments to the Right to Information Act, income tax and customs reforms, microfinance banking, and civil aviation.
Parliament Secretariat sources say that of 133 ordinances, 113 were approved, while 20 lost validity — including 87 approved through bills, seven repealed via four bills, and 13 that expired automatically.
Opposition leaders argue that scrapping these key ordinances signals a retreat from promised reforms and risks a return to authoritarian practices. They claim that although the BNP pledged to implement such reforms before the election, the government is now stepping back.
The government, however, maintains that it remains committed to delivering on its reform agenda.
