Editorial, News & commercial office:
55/A, H M Siddique Mansion (Level-7), Purana Paltan, Motijhel C/A, Dhaka-1000. Phone: +8802226640056,
e-mail: [email protected], [email protected]
Leader of the Opposition and Jamaat Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman.
Leader of the Opposition and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has warned the government that Bangladesh cannot be leased out to any external entity under the pretext of regional connectivity. Addressing the inaugural rally of an 11-party alliance's long march outside the South Gate of the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque on Saturday morning (October 31), he declared that those who embraced subservience in the past are now facing historical consequences, cautioning the ruling administration that betraying the people's trust will not go unpunished.
Focusing on the Prime Minister's recent four-day official trip abroad, the Opposition Leader demanded an unreserved explanation before the nation regarding the objectives and outcomes of the tour. He specifically raised concerns over whether any covert arrangements were being made regarding the Matarbari Deep Sea Port, asserting that the public expects absolute clarity and will not tolerate compromises on sovereignty in the name of bilateral connectivity. He warned that while previous regimes sought external patronage across the border, the current administration would find no such shield if it turned against popular sentiment.
Following the opening rally, the 11-party alliance's long-march convoy set off at approximately 8:30 AM on a 425-kilometre journey traversing 19 districts toward Kushtia. The motorcade moved via the Mayor Hanif Flyover and the Dhaka-Mawa Expressway, heading through Bhanga in Faridpur, Gopalganj, and the Rupsha Bridge into Khulna, before proceeding toward Jashore, Jhenaidah, and Kushtia. Roadside rallies were scheduled at Naodoba, Katakhali in Bagerhat, Babri Chattar and Swadhinata Chattar in Khulna, Murali Mor in Jashore, and the Jhenaidah-Chuadanga bus terminal area, with the campaign set to culminate in a grand concluding rally at the Shaheed Abrar Fahad Stadium in Kushtia.
Dr. Shafiqur Rahman stated that the alliance is conducting the long march on a seven-point charter of demands, the cornerstone of which is the immediate execution of the referendum verdict. He argued that the non-implementation of this primary mandate allowed subsequent governance crises—including extortion, territorial grabbing, corruption, and organized crime—to resurface unchecked. Accusing the BNP of historic betrayal and legislative falsehoods, he urged the government to officially declare the implementation of the referendum results before parliament convenes on November 9, cautioning that failure to heed the public mandate would carry a heavy political price.
The demonstration was addressed by prominent alliance partners, including Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) President Col. (retd.) Oli Ahmad, who alleged that district administrations, city corporations, and municipal offices have been turned into partisan hubs to corner public procurement tenders and seize property. Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish Ameer Maulana Mamunul Haque remarked that the prevailing national instability stems directly from the failure to reform the constitution and respect the referendum. Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar warned that the administration's attempts to politicize constitutional posts in violation of the July Charter would be met with an unyielding public backlash. The rally was attended by AB Party Chairman Mojibur Rahman Manju, Bangladesh Labour Party Chairman Mostafizur Rahman Iran, Nezame Islam Party Acting Ameer Abdul Qayyum Subhani, Bangladesh Development Party Chairman Anwarul Islam, JAGPA spokesperson Rashed Pradhan, Khelafat Andolan Secretary General Mufti Fakhrul Islam, Chhatra Shibir President Nurul Islam Saddam, and DUCSU VP Abu Sadik Kayem, among other central leaders.
https://thedailyexpress.news/news/politics/1f1d4df9-ae54-6bf0-9a37-a36ed69f1bab