11-Party Alliance calls for Long Marches, rally

MM Rahmatullah: The 11-Party Alliance on Thursday announced a series of nationwide protest programmes, including long marches across the country and a grand rally in Dhaka, declaring that its movement would continue until its demands are fulfilled.Speaking at a sit-in programme at Muktangan in the capital, Opposition Leader and Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, said the alliance's campaign is intended to protect the rights of the country's 180 million people rather than serve the interests of any particular political party. He said the movement would continue until the people's demands are realised, describing the alliance's struggle as one for the rights and dignity of ordinary citizens.Dr. Shafiqur Rahman said the alliance's 11-point charter calls for the implementation of the "people's verdict" expressed through a referendum, the elimination of discrimination in all sectors, reductions in the prices of fuel, gas and electricity, relief from public suffering, effective control of inflation, and the prosecution of those responsible for killings, enforced disappearances and the alleged plundering of national assets. He described the charter as a national agenda representing the aspirations of the people rather than the interests of any individual party or group.He also alleged that those who had attempted to silence political dissent through violence, enforced disappearances, intimidation and repression should never again be allowed to repeat such actions. Warning against any attempt to obstruct future programmes, he said the movement would become stronger if barriers were placed in its path.During the rally, the alliance announced a series of nationwide protest programmes. These include a long march from Dhaka to Chattogram on September 5, another from Dhaka to Rangpur on September 19, a Dhaka-to-Khulna long march on October 10, a rail long march from Dhaka to Sylhet on October 24, and a grand rally in Dhaka on November 14.Calling on government officials to respond to public demands, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman said the Secretariat belongs to the people rather than any political party. He also urged the authorities to ensure uninterrupted supplies of gas and electricity, provide safe drinking water, increase fuel availability for transport and withdraw recent increases in LPG prices. He warned against any further increase in gas prices and said the alliance would consider surrounding the relevant government offices if necessary.Much of the programme focused on the country's energy crisis, rising living costs and inflation. NCP Convener and Opposition Chief Whip Nahid Islam MP alleged that the government had failed during its first five months in office to ensure adequate supplies of gas and electricity or create sufficient employment opportunities. He also accused the government of failing to implement the outcome of the referendum and claimed that opposition student organisations had come under attack on university campuses. He said the opposition would resist any attempt to intimidate students or suppress political activities in educational institutions.Liberal Democratic Party President Col. (Retd.) Oli Ahmad Bir Bikram criticised what he described as increasing loan defaults, extortion and weak economic management, arguing that the country requires competent and honest leadership to address its challenges. Bangladesh Labour Party Chairman Dr. Mostafizur Rahman Iran said prolonged shortages of electricity and gas were affecting industries and undermining economic stability.AB Party Secretary General Barrister Asaduzzaman Fuad expressed concern over Bangladesh's energy security, raising questions about gas resource management and proposed LNG imports. He called for greater national unity to safeguard the country's strategic energy interests.Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General and former MP Mia Golam Parwar urged the authorities to ensure peaceful educational institutions and called for greater attention to the expectations of families affected by the July movement. Other leaders from the alliance also criticised the government's handling of inflation, governance, employment, political reforms and freedom of expression, urging broader political unity to address what they described as the country's growing challenges.The programme was attended by senior leaders of the alliance's constituent parties, labour representatives, professionals, former lawmakers, representatives of affected families and a large number of supporters. Organisers said the movement would continue through peaceful political programmes until their demands are met.Political observers believe the announcement of consecutive long marches culminating in a grand rally in November is likely to intensify political activity in the coming months. Attention will now focus on whether the programmes proceed without disruption, how the government responds to the opposition's demands, and whether any dialogue emerges over the issues raised during the campaign.As this report is based on statements delivered during the rally, the allegations and political claims made by the speakers are presented as attributed remarks and have not been independently verified. The government's response was not included in the information available at the time of writing.