United News of Bangladesh

11-party alliance led by Jamaat-e-Islami began a long march from the capital toward Chattogram on Saturday morning, to press home a six-point demand including the implementation of the “people's verdict in the February 12 referendum, trial of July 2024 mass killings, and resolution of the multi-dimensional energy crisis”. The alliance is also demanding measures to control soaring prices of essential commodities, an end to extortion and corruption, improvement of the law and order situation and an end to narrow partisanisation. The rally began at 7:00am at Shapla Chattar in Motijheel. The programme opened with the recitation of verses from the Holy Quran. Dr AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad, assistant secretary general of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and coordinator of the 11-party alliance, delivered the opening remarks. Top leaders of the alliance addressed the rally. Following speeches by the alliance's senior leaders, including opposition leader and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman, the long march convoy left for Chattogram. The first roadside rally will be held near the truck stand by the Kanchpur Bridge in Narayanganj, followed by rallies at Paduar Bazar Bishwaroad in Cumilla, Mohipal in Feni and Mirsarai and the final rally at Laldighi Maidan in Chattogram. The long march will conclude with a public rally at Laldighi Maidan in Chattogram. Jamaat Secretary General and Long March Implementation Committee Convener Mia Golam Parwar on Friday urged the government to provide all necessary administrative cooperation to ensure the success of what he described as the largest peaceful political programme of the opposition. He warned that if any government party or anyone creates an adverse situation during the long march, they would lose further public trust and face public anger. He clarified that delegates participating in the long march would not get down from their vehicles to join the roadside rallies. Local party units will organise those rallies. He said vehicles in the procession would carry stickers and no vehicle would be allowed to join the procession. Media vehicles will also be allowed to join the procession to cover the programme, he said. Talking about their demands, he said although six months had passed since the formation of the government, it had not taken any initiative to implement the people's verdict given in the referendum.  

National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener and Jamaat-led 11-party alliance candidate for the Dhaka-11 constituency Nahid Islam on Wednesday said the BNP has failed to field any ‘credible challenger’ in the national election scheduled for February 12. Talking to reporters during electioneering in Malibagh, Nahid alleged that the candidates contesting against them are either loan defaulters, dual citizenship holders, or involved in land grabbing, terrorism and extortion. “We are facing candidates who are either loan defaulters or dual citizens; otherwise, they are land grabbers, terrorists or extortionists. The opposition alliance could not nominate any worthy opponent,” he said. Referring to what he described as multi-layered conspiracies surrounding the election, Nahid claimed that both domestic and foreign plots are underway, with indications of ‘major conspiracies’ originating from a neighbouring country. Expressing confidence about forming the next government, Nahid said public response in favour of the 11-party alliance has been unprecedented. “You can see it yourselves—the people are responding overwhelmingly. I am hopeful that this alliance will secure the required number of seats in Parliament to form the government.” Claiming a strong position in his own constituency, Nahid said voters in Dhaka-11 are rallying behind them. “On February 12, people will deliver their verdict against corruption, extortion and terrorism. The ‘Shapla Koli’ symbol will emerge victorious in this constituency.” Nahid also alleged that a political party is exerting pressure on the media, accusing it of influencing coverage ahead of the polls. “The media is giving coverage to a particular party. There are also attempts to ensure that incidents like the takeover of polling centres on February 12 do not get reported,” he claimed.