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🇧🇩 Bangladesh /Elections & Politics

‘Hearing the Footsteps of Fascism,’ Shafiqur Says During 11-Party Long March

From Daily Star · () English

Translated from English and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Leaders of a Jamaat-e-Islami-led 11-party alliance accused Bangladesh’s BNP government of economic failures and undermining democratic mandates at a rally in Chattogram.
  • Opposition figures compared the government with the BAKSAL regime and demanded action on electricity, prices, law and order, corruption and political influence in administration.
  • The alliance’s convoy caused traffic congestion on sections of the Dhaka-Chattogram highway as it completed its long march.

The Jamaat-e-Islami-led 11-party alliance ended its Dhaka-Chattogram long march with a rally at Laldighi Maidan, where opposition leaders accused the BNP government of failing on economic issues and betraying democratic mandates.

Jamaat Ameer and Opposition Leader Shafiqur Rahman said the government had filled key public offices with party loyalists despite promising in its 31-point election manifesto that elected representatives would govern at every level. “Is this democracy, or is it fascism?” he asked.

There is electricity at the home of the power minister. There is electricity in parliament, but there is no electricity in ordinary people’s homes.

· Shafiqur RahmanThe Jamaat leader criticized the government’s handling of electricity supplies.

The alliance leaders said they saw “no practical difference” between the current government and the BAKSAL regime. LDP President Col. (retd) Oli Ahmad said citizens were already questioning whether the government could survive, while accusing it of placing party figures in municipalities, city corporations and district councils.

Is this democracy, or is it fascism?

· Shafiqur RahmanHe questioned the appointment of party loyalists to public offices.

Shafiqur said the alliance did not seek to topple the administration outright, but warned that its course was paving the way for its own downfall. He also urged the government to address shortages of electricity, fuel, gas and fertiliser, rising prices, poor law and order, extortion and corruption.

The alliance presented six demands, including implementation of the referendum verdict, trials over the July massacre, control of essential prices and an end to political influence in administration. National Citizen Party convener Nahid Islam called on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to accept that the government could not resolve the country’s crises without opposition support.

Together, we want such a government to go from this country. There is no difference between this government and BAKSAL.

· Oli AhmadThe LDP president criticized the government at the rally.

The march began at Shapla Chattar in Motijheel. Hundreds of vehicles joined the convoy, causing congestion at points along the highway, including Kanchpur, Cumilla’s Paduar Bazar and Feni’s Mahipal. The Jamaat media cell said 1,500 vehicles took part.

If you play with the people’s rights, the people will not spare you.

· Shafiqur RahmanHe warned the government while vowing to continue the movement.
About this summary

Originally published by Daily Star in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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