Dhaka:Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar has issued a stern warning to the government, suggesting that its refusal to implement the referendum verdict could lead the country toward political confrontation. He expressed these concerns during a press conference at the party's central office, where he also announced the 11-party alliance's long march from Dhaka to Kushtia scheduled for Saturday.
According to United News of Bangladesh, Porwar accused the BNP-led government of ignoring the public mandate. He highlighted that BNP leaders, including the current Prime Minister, had initially encouraged people to vote 'Yes' in the referendum but are now questioning its constitutional validity. Porwar also criticized the government's stance on benefitting from the electoral process under the referendum-related legal framework while refusing to acknowledge its outcome.
Porwar called for the government to convene a session of the Constitution Reform Council during the next parliamentary session on November 9 to discuss the implementation of the referendum verdict. He expressed the opposition's willingness to cooperate in the process and criticized the government's decision to form a special committee, labeling it as unilateral and akin to parliamentary autocracy.
He further mentioned that implementing the July Charter could help resolve political disagreements and restore public confidence. The alliance's demands include justice for the July killings, resolving shortages of essential utilities and agricultural inputs, controlling commodity prices, improving law and order, and stopping partisan appointments, corruption, and extortion.
The long march will commence at 7 am on Saturday from the south gate of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque in Dhaka and conclude at Kushtia District Stadium. The 425-kilometre journey will traverse 19 districts, with approximately 1,500 vehicles expected to join the convoy. The route will include the Padma Bridge and Mawa, passing through several districts with planned stops along the way. The march aims to garner public support for the alliance's seven demands.