1 hr ago
Bangladesh Opposition Escalates Pressure on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman
An opposition group in Bangladesh has started another long march to pressure the government.
The march is traveling from Dhaka toward Rangpur.
The group has eight demands, including carrying out the result of a February referendum.
It also wants action on shortages of electricity, gas and fuel, high prices, corruption and crime.
The group’s leader, Shafiqur Rahman, warned that the eight demands could become one larger demand.
This could make the political situation more serious.
The government’s BNP has questioned why the marches are being held and whether they work.
The opposition says its demonstrations will stay peaceful.
Jamaat-e-Islami-led 11-party opposition alliance began a long march from Dhaka toward Rangpur.
Jamaat chief Shafiqur Rahman warned that the alliance’s eight demands could become one demand if the government does not respond.
The opposition is demanding implementation of a February referendum verdict, which it says was backed by about 70% of voters.
Its broader demands include action over July killings, shortages, rising prices, corruption, extortion, land grabbing and law-and-order problems.
The alliance says its protests will remain peaceful, while the government’s BNP has questioned the marches’ motives and effectiveness.
- Who
- The Jamaat-e-Islami-led 11-party opposition alliance, led in this campaign by Jamaat chief Shafiqur Rahman, is pressuring Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s BNP government.
- What
- The alliance has launched a long march and warned that its eight-point charter could be consolidated into a single demand.
- Where
- The march began in Dhaka and is heading toward Rangpur in northern Bangladesh.
- When
- The latest warning and march began on Saturday, less than two weeks after the alliance’s march toward Chattogram.
- Why
- The alliance says the government has not implemented the February referendum verdict and is failing to address shortages, prices, corruption, extortion, land grabbing and law-and-order problems.
Opposition Alliance
BNP Government
Referendum verdict
Opposition Alliance
The opposition says the government must implement the February referendum result and claims the public decisively backed the “Yes” side.
BNP Government
The BNP government is accused by the opposition of ignoring the verdict; the article does not provide a detailed government response on implementation.
Long-march campaign
Opposition Alliance
The alliance says continued marches are necessary to press its demands and build a nationwide movement.
BNP Government
The BNP has questioned the motives and effectiveness of the opposition’s long-march programmes.
Political escalation
Opposition Alliance
Shafiqur Rahman warned that eight demands could become one, increasing pressure on the government if it does not respond.
BNP Government
The government faces the prospect of intensified street pressure, while the article reports no explicit endorsement of the opposition’s demands from the BNP.
Key facts
- Opposition alliance
- Jamaat-e-Islami-led 11-party coalition
- March route
- Dhaka to Rangpur
- Core demand
- Implementation of the February referendum verdict
- Referendum claim
- Shafiqur Rahman said about 70% of voters backed the “Yes” side
- Additional issue
- Implementation of the Teesta Master Plan
- Previous mobilisation
- A march toward Chattogram took place less than two weeks earlier
- Stated protest policy
- The alliance says its programmes will remain peaceful
Quotes
Shafiqur Rahman
Opposition leader and Jamaat-e-Islami chief
“If the opposition’s eight-point demand turns into a single demand, the situation will become very serious.”
firstpost.com
“one demand”
firstpost.com
Sources
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