“No practical difference” between current government and Baksal regime, 11-party alliance says

Leaders of Bangladesh’s 11-party alliance said the current government has made “no practical difference” from the Baksal regime, accusing it of weakening democracy and placing party loyalists in important public offices.

The remarks came at a large rally at Chattogram’s historic Laldighi Maidan, held at the end of the alliance’s long march. Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman said the government had broken its election pledges by appointing loyalists as administrators across state institutions.

Referring to Chittagong City Corporation, Shafiqur said the mayor’s term had expired but the incumbent was expected to remain in office. “Is this democracy, or is it fascism?” he asked. He said the alliance did not plan to overthrow the government, but warned that its current course could eventually bring about its downfall. He also questioned why there had been no visible progress on implementing the referendum verdict six months after the election.

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no practical difference

Liberal Democratic Party President Col. (retd.) Oli Ahmed, who chaired the rally, said public dissatisfaction had grown unusually quickly. He alleged that foreign interests, government officials and political actors were working together to sideline the alliance and enable corruption, extortion and loan defaults.

Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis Ameer Mamunul Haque warned that failure to implement the referendum mandate could trigger widespread public unrest. Referring to the political crisis of 1970, he said ignoring the people’s mandate had contributed to the Liberation War. National Citizen Party Convener Nahid Islam urged Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to recognize that the government could not resolve the country’s crises alone. He called for dialogue with opposition parties and warned the government not to repeat the authoritarian mistakes of previous administrations.

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Is this democracy, or is it fascism?