Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman has said the BNP will eventually have to implement the people’s verdict in the referendum, but alleged that the party would “make the water muddy” before doing so.
“You voted ‘Yes’ in the referendum, and 70% of the people supported it. The government has ignored and insulted your referendum. We have taken to the streets to seek retribution for that,” he said.
“The people’s verdict will be implemented on this soil, and the BNP will be compelled to do so. They will drink the water, but they will make it muddy before drinking it,” he added.
He made the remarks while addressing a roadside rally on Tangail Road at Bhogra Bypass in Gazipur around 9:30am on Saturday.
Dr Shafiqur said the Jamaat-led long march towards Rangpur began from Dhaka at 7am, describing it as a program to press demands related to people’s livelihoods, essential services and governance.“Our long march is for ensuring gas reaches every household, keeping industries running, ensuring uninterrupted electricity and alleviating the suffering of people facing water shortages,” he said.
He said the program was also aimed at ending extortion on roads, markets and transport stands, freeing the country from corruption, opposing “hegemony” and improving the deteriorating law and order situation.
Addressing those attending the rally, the Jamaat chief asked whether the demands were those of the people.
“These are your demands. We have taken to the streets with your demands. We have not come with any party demand. We have come with the demands of 180 million people,” he said.
Referring to the demands, he said the alliance had taken to the streets with eight points for the people.
“Today, we have taken to the streets with eight demands for the people. If necessary, these eight demands can turn into a single demand at any time,” he said.
Dr Shafiqur also referred to the start of the long march towards Rangpur, saying it was heading for the city associated with the memory of Abu Sayed, who was killed during the July uprising.
The long march left Bhogra Bypass for Tangail after Dr Shafiqur addressed the roadside rally at around 10am.
A roadside rally was scheduled to be held at Nagar Jalfai Bypass in Tangail at around 10:30am.
Earlier in the morning, Dr Shafiqur inaugurated the long march at Manik Mia Avenue in Dhaka.
SM/CitizenTimes
