Gaibandha: Opposition Leader Dr Shafiqur Rahman on Saturday emphasized that their 'long march' initiatives are not meant to cater to the ambitions of any individual, party, or group, but rather to address the needs of the country's 180 million citizens. Dr Shafiqur Rahman, also the Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, highlighted this during a street rally at Chowmatha intersection in Palashbari, Gaibandha, as part of the Dhaka-Rangpur Long March organized by the 11-party alliance.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the 11-party opposition coalition, spearheaded by Jamaat-e-Islami, was conducting its second long march in two weeks, this time from Dhaka to Rangpur, with an eight-point agenda. The long march began from Manik Mia Avenue in Dhaka in the morning, featuring five street rallies at various locations before culminating at Rangpur Zilla School.
Previously, on September 5, the alliance executed its inaugural long march from Dhaka to Chattogram, presenting a six-point demand including the execution of the February 12 referendum verdict, trial for the July 2024 mass killings, resolution of the crises in electricity, fuel, gas, and fertilizer, control of rising essential commodity prices, elimination of corruption and extortion, and enhancement of law and order.
Ahead of the Dhaka-Rangpur long march, the alliance expanded its six-point demand to an eight-point one by adding calls to end narrow partisanisation and implement the Teesta mega plan. At the Gaibandha rally, the opposition leader asserted that the long march would not have been necessary if the July Charter had been respected, the referendum's verdict had been honored, and issues like corruption and fertilizer shortages had been addressed.
Dr Shafiqur underscored that their demands are not party-centric but for the populace. He warned that if the government fails to heed their demands, the alliance would escalate its demands. Additionally, Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) President Col (retd) Oli Ahmed, Bir Bikram, urged the formation of a constitutional reform council to liberate the people, as stated in a press release.