|| Desk Report: The Dhaka-Khulna-Jhenaidah-Kushtia long march organized by the 11-party alliance continued on Friday with a series of street meetings along its route, drawing large crowds in Gopalganj and Shariatpur.According to a press release issued from Dhaka, the long march convoy reached Bhatiapara crossing in Kashiani, Gopalganj at around 11:45 am. Thousands of men and women gathered at the crossing to welcome the convoy.Speaking to the crowd, Ameer-e-Jamaat and Leader of the Opposition Dr. Shafiqur Rahman thanked the people for their enthusiasm and pledged to remain firm in pursuing the seven-point demand of the 11-party alliance.After the gathering in Kashiani, the convoy left for Khulna. Organizers said the march will join street meetings at Babri Chattar in Khulna city and at Swadhinata Chattar at the Phultala bus stand. The route then includes Muralir Mor in Jashore and a gathering at the bus terminal area in Jhenaidah. The march is scheduled to conclude with a closing rally at Shaheed Abrar Fahad Stadium in Kushtia.Leaders of the alliance are also expected to make informal addresses at various public gathering points along the highway and receive greetings from local activists of the 11 parties who lined the roads.Earlier in the day, the convoy joined a street meeting at Naodoba in Shariatpur at 10:00 am. The long march was formally inaugurated at 7:00 am with an opening rally at the South Gate of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque in the capital.The press release noted that this is the third such programme by the alliance to press its demands. The first long march was held on 5 September towards Chattogram and the second on 19 September towards Rangpur.