Rangpur: Political Assistant to the Prime Minister Rashed Khan today labeled Jamaat's long march as irrational, while asserting that both BNP and the government will fully cooperate with the march. 'The present government has entered its seventh month. Its activities over the past six months have been highly appreciated by the public. However, through this long march, Jamaat is systematically conspiring against the government,' he said. Rashed Khan made these remarks during a visit to the site where Shaheed Abu Sayeed was killed in police firing during the 2024 Mass Uprising.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Rashed Khan described the long march as a 'final programme' of agitation that should not be launched against what he called a blossoming government. He pointed out that the Jamaat Ameer has announced a movement to topple the government starting in December, potentially allowing the Awami League to return. Meanwhile, Sheikh Hasina plans to return to the country in December, adding to public suspicion about possible collaboration between Jamaat and the Awami League against the BNP government.
Rashed Khan further commented that Jamaat would not benefit from the Awami League's return, as Sheikh Hasina wants Jamaat to engage in street activities that could facilitate her comeback and allow the Awami League to capitalize on the situation. He criticized the long march for causing unnecessary public suffering and financial losses, citing a prior incident on the Dhaka-Chittagong highway. He emphasized that road blockades are not needed to press for Jamaat's seven demands and argued that such actions only waste fuel and provoke the Awami League.
He also noted that the Awami League is attempting to destabilize the situation surrounding the Dhaka-Rangpur long march, with police and intelligence agencies remaining on high alert. Present at the occasion were Rangpur District Council Administrator and Convener of the District BNP Md Saiful Islam, senior BNP leaders Fazlur Rahman Badal and Md Liton Parvez, Proctor of BRUR Professor Dr Md Ferdous Rahman, and President of BRUR Chhatra Dal Rafael Imtiaz Yamin, among others.
Earlier, Rashed Khan engaged in discussions with officials and doctors at Rangpur Medical College Hospital regarding the improvement and expansion of healthcare services.