Gazipur: Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman on Saturday announced that the party's current eight-point demand could be condensed into a single demand based on the evolving needs of the people.
According to United News of Bangladesh, Shafiqur Rahman made this statement during a roadside rally held by the party-led 11-party alliance at Bhogra Bypass intersection in Gazipur. The event was a part of the alliance's long march from Dhaka to Rangpur. Emphasizing the flexibility of their demands, Shafiqur stated, "We have taken to the streets today with a set of eight demands. Depending on the needs of people, these eight demands can turn into a single demand at any time."
The rally saw participation from key leaders of the alliance, including Colonel Oli Ahmed Bir Bikram and Mamunul Haque, and was presided over by Professor Md Jamal Uddin of the Dhaka metropolitan unit Jamaat-e-Islami. Leaders from various levels of the alliance addressed the gathering, reinforcing the unity and shared goals of the coalition.
The procession witnessed overwhelming support as leaders and activists were greeted by large crowds along the route from Tongi to Bhogra. Following the rally, the convoy continued its journey towards Rangpur, marking the second 'long march' organized by the 11-party opposition alliance to galvanize public support for their demands.
The alliance's agenda includes the implementation of the 'people's verdict' from the February 12 referendum and addressing the ongoing energy and fertilizer crisis. The march, originating from Manik Mia Avenue in Dhaka at 8 am, includes planned stops for rallies at strategic locations such as Nagar Jalpai in Tangail, Hatikumrul in Sirajganj, Charmatha in Bogra, and Palashbari in Gaibandha before concluding at Rangpur Zilla School.
Additional demands put forth by the alliance encompass the trial of the July 2024 mass killings, control of soaring prices of essential goods, eradication of corruption, extortion, and violence, and enhancement of law and order. The alliance had previously held its inaugural long march from Dhaka to Chattogram on September 5, with a six-point demand, which has since been expanded to the current eight-point agenda for the Dhaka-Rangpur march.