Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Professor Mia Golam Porwar has said implementing the referendum verdict is the biggest issue in the country’s current politics.
He warned that the party would return to the people if the matter is not resolved in parliament.
He made the remarks while speaking to journalists after a meeting with newspaper editors held at the official residence of Opposition Leader in Parliament and Jamaat Ameer Shafiqur Rahman on Minto Road in Dhaka on Monday.
At the meeting, Golam Porwar said the 11-party alliance, including Jamaat-e-Islami, would not compromise “even an inch” on implementing the referendum verdict.
“Seventy per cent of people voted ‘yes’ to the four questions on the referendum ballot. The issue now is to implement that verdict,” he said.
“If it is resolved in parliament, Alhamdulillah. Otherwise, we will go to where the 70 per cent of people stand,” he added.
Announcing that the party would continue programmes both inside and outside parliament, the Jamaat leader said an 11-party alliance long march would begin from Shapla Chattar at 7am on 5 September and head towards Chattogram to press the demand for implementing the referendum verdict.
However, he said Jamaat would play a constructive and responsible role as an opposition party in parliament.
“We will oppose where opposition is needed and cooperate where cooperation is required,” he said, adding that such opposition would be democratic and constructive. He also called on the government to play a responsible role.
Golam Porwar said they informed the editors about alleged discrimination against the opposition in parliamentary activities.
He said they discussed issues including allocations and distribution of development funds, opportunities to speak on the parliamentary floor, law-making processes and acceptance of notices.
The meeting also discussed issues beyond referendum verdict implementation, including the electricity and gas crisis, rising prices and the rights of expatriates.
Rejecting the notion that Jamaat maintains a distance from the media, Golam Porwar said the meeting with editors was organised as part of efforts to strengthen relations with the media.
