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Opposition Chief Whip Nahid Islam
Opposition Chief Whip and Convener of the National Citizen Party (NCP) Nahid Islam warned that the ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is stripping citizens' rights and eroding democratic institutions, asserting that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman must decide the manner of his exit from state power.
Addressing the inaugural rally of the Dhaka-to-Rangpur long march at Manik Mia Avenue on Saturday morning, Nahid stated that historical precedents show those who dismantle democratic norms are relegated to history's dustbin. He remarked that Tarique Rahman must choose his own departure route—whether he will resign with dignity or flee the country via helicopter, drawing an analogy to former military ruler Hussain Muhammad Ershad's eventual resignation.
Nahid alleged that ruling party activists, aided by city corporation personnel, dismantled banners and festoons of the 11-party alliance overnight in an attempt to suppress the momentum of the demonstration. He added that tearing down promotional materials cannot halt public outrage. Furthermore, he accused the current administration of weaponizing the same draconian legal instruments and state institutions that were previously employed by the ousted Sheikh Hasina regime to stifle dissent.
Following the earlier Dhaka-Chattogram convoy, the alliance launched its Dhaka-Rangpur long march on Saturday, pressing for an eight-point charter of demands. Leader of the Opposition and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman delivered the concluding remarks at the opening gathering. Jointly moderated by Jamaat Dhaka North Secretary Rezaul Karim and South Secretary Shafiqul Islam Masud, the rally was also addressed by Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) President Colonel (Retd.) Oli Ahmad, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis Ameer Maulana Mamunul Haque, and Bangladesh Development Party Chairman Anwarul Islam.
https://thedailyexpress.news/news/politics/1f1b3ea7-6ef0-60d0-a8c0-15b797891c9d