Tangail, Sep 19 (V7N)- Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and Opposition Leader Dr Shafiqur Rahman has accused the BNP-led government of ignoring the referendum verdict and warned that the opposition's eight-point demands could eventually turn into a single-point movement.
Shafiqur made the remarks on Saturday while addressing a roadside rally at Nagar Jalfai Bypass in Tangail as part of the 11-party alliance's Dhaka-Rangpur long march.
Earlier, speaking at Bhogra Bypass in Gazipur, Shafiqur alleged that the government had disregarded the people's mandate in the referendum. He said the opposition had taken to the streets over issues concerning people's rights rather than for partisan interests.
He said the alliance would continue its movement until its demands were addressed and warned that the existing eight-point agenda could be transformed into a single demand if necessary. The alliance's demands include implementation of the referendum verdict, trial of those responsible for the July killings, improvements in electricity, fuel and gas supplies, control of essential commodity prices, better law and order, action against corruption and extortion, and implementation of the Teesta Master Plan.
National Citizen Party Convener and Opposition Chief Whip Nahid Islam, speaking at the inaugural rally in Dhaka, also accused the government of following what he described as the path of the previous Awami League administration. He warned that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman would have to decide how he would leave office if the situation continued.
Nahid further claimed that attempts had been made to remove banners and festoons belonging to the alliance along the long-march route. He alleged that such efforts would not prevent the political mobilisation and said the alliance's demands could eventually converge into one.
Liberal Democratic Party Chairman Colonel (retd.) Oli Ahmad said the opposition was not against the government simply for being in power, but alleged that the BNP had moved away from reforms after assuming office. He said the opposition could adopt a single-point movement if the situation continued.
The 11-party alliance began its long march from Manik Mia Avenue in Dhaka on Saturday morning, with Shafiqur addressing the inaugural rally before the procession headed north. The programme is being held to press the alliance's eight-point demands.
The procession is travelling through Gazipur, Tangail, Sirajganj, Bogura and Gaibandha. Roadside rallies are scheduled at several locations along the route, before the long march concludes with a rally at Rangpur Zilla School grounds.
Alliance leaders have called on their supporters to maintain discipline during the programme and said the movement would continue until their demands are addressed.
END/SMA/AJ
