Zakir Hossain from Dhaka
Bangladesh’s 11-party opposition alliance, led by Jamaat-e-Islami, on Friday announced a nationwide agitation programme from April 18 to May 2, pressing for implementation of the referendum verdict in line with the July National Charter.
The programme includes mass rallies in Dhaka and across divisional and district headquarters, along with leaflet distribution and seminars, as part of efforts to increase pressure on the government to accept what the alliance called the public mandate.
Jamaat-e-Islami secretary general Mia Golam Porwar announced the programme at a press conference at the Al-Falah Auditorium near the party’s central office in Moghbazar, Dhaka.
Under the schedule, the alliance will hold a mass procession in Dhaka on April 18, followed by similar events at all divisional headquarters, except the capital, on April 25. Porwar said leaders and activists would also stage processions at district headquarters to press the authorities to implement the referendum verdict in line with the July Charter.
He added that leaflets would be distributed and seminars organised in all divisional cities and important district towns throughout April 18-May 2 to reinforce the alliance’s demands.
Earlier in the day, senior alliance leaders met under the chairmanship of Jamaat Ameer and leader of the opposition in Parliament, Dr Shafiqur Rahman, to chalk out the next phase of action.
Those present included National Citizen Party convener and opposition chief whip Nahid Islam; Liberal Democratic Party president Col (retd) Oli Ahmed; Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis Ameer Mamunul Haque; AB Party general secretary Asaduzzaman Fuad; Bangladesh Labour Party chairman Mustafizur Rahman Iran; Jatiya Ganatantrik Party spokesperson Rashed Prodhan; Khelafat Majlish joint secretary general Mustafizur Rahman; Bangladesh Labour Party chairman Anwarul Islam; and Bangladesh Nezame Islam Party secretary general Musa Bin Izhar.
“There is no alternative for the government but to provide the July National Charter with a legal basis, convert it into law and incorporate it into the Constitution,” Porwar said, urging the authorities to immediately convene a session of the Constitutional Reform Commission.
He also warned that if the demands were not met, the alliance would launch a fresh round of nationwide programmes, including large-scale rallies in all metropolitan and divisional cities. The schedule for those programmes, he said, would be finalised at the next meeting of alliance partners.