Jamaat-e-Islami leader Shafiqur Rahman criticized the BNP for reneging on its commitments and veering towards a single-party rule post-election. At a rally in Suhrawardy Udyan, the opposition parliament leader accused the BNP of attempting to monopolize control over the country, contrary to its earlier pledge of forming an inclusive government.
Shafiqur emphasized the importance of upholding the referendum verdict, stating that the slogans of the July movement, “We want justice” and “The country does not belong to anyone’s father,” resonate with the people’s desires for a democratic and just society. He highlighted the necessity of honoring the referendum as a legitimate means to implement the July charter, which was previously endorsed by the BNP.
Addressing the government’s contradictory stance on the referendum’s legality, Shafiqur questioned the sudden shift in position from pre-election acceptance to post-election rejection. He warned that if the referendum outcome is disregarded, protests will persist both within parliament and on the streets, emphasizing that the unity of both avenues would be unstoppable.
Shafiqur urged the government to uphold the principles of the Liberation War and respect the people’s decision, emphasizing that denial of the popular vote leads to adverse consequences. The rally also saw the announcement of a three-month program by Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis, including district-level rallies and a mass procession in Dhaka.
During the event, Nahid Islam, the National Citizen Party convener and opposition chief whip, highlighted the challenges faced by the public, such as escalating prices, fuel scarcities, and a measles outbreak. He criticized the government for failing to fulfill its promises despite efforts from the opposition to cooperate. Additionally, speeches were delivered by Liberal Democratic Party Chairman Col (retired) Oli Ahmed and Amar Bangladesh (AB) Party Chairman Mojibur Rahman Monju.
