United News of Bangladesh

The Jamaat-e-Islami-led 11-party alliance on Thursday announced a series of long march in  four divisions and a ‘grand rally’ in Dhaka to press for a set of demands including the withdrawal of increased LPG prices, ensuring adequate supplies of gas, electricity, safe drinking water and implementation of the July Charter. Opposition Leader and Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman announced the programme at a sit-in programme organised by the alliance at Muktangan in the capital. The sit-in was held in protest against what the alliance described as the fuel and gas crisis, “ghost” electricity bills, deteriorating law and order situation, and soaring prices of essential commodities. According to the announced schedule, the programmes will begin with a long march from Dhaka to Chattogram on Sept 5. This will be followed by a long march from Dhaka to Rangpur on Sept 19, from Dhaka to Khulna on Oct 10 and from Dhaka to Sylhet on Oct 24. Besides, a grand rally in Dhaka has been scheduled for Nov 14. Highlighting shortages of gas and electricity, Dr Shafiqur Rahman said every household must receive electricity, gas must be ensured for cooking, sufficient gas should be supplied for transport, and safe drinking water must be made available to people. Criticising the recent increase in LPG prices, he demanded its immediate withdrawal and warned that the relevant offices would be surrounded if the decision is not reversed. “If an artificial gas crisis is created and then used as a pretext to increase prices, it will not be accepted,” he said. The Jamaat chief also said their movement would continue until justice is ensured for those involved in killings, crimes and looting. “Those responsible for oppression, repression and opening fire on innocent people will not be allowed to return and rule Bangladesh again,” he said. About the Rangpur programme, he said meetings would be held at different points along the route to hear public concerns and present the alliance’s demands, with the aim of preparing people for a larger movement. Explaining why the Sylhet programme would be held by rail instead of road, Dr Shafiqur Rahman said ongoing road construction work in the region would cause severe public suffering if hundreds of vehicles join the march. “Considering public inconvenience, we have chosen the railway route,” he said.

Khelafat Majlis on Saturday officially announced its withdrawal from Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami-led 11-party alliance. The decision was taken at the party's third general meeting of its Central Majlis-e-Shura at the Institution of Diploma Engineers, Bangladesh (IDEB) auditorium in the capital. Khelafat Majlis will abstain from all future programmes and activities of the 11-party alliance, the party said in a press release signed by the party's Central Publicity Secretary Engineer Abdul Hafiz Khasru. Young Jamaat leader quits party, stages symbolic milk bath over allegations against MP Nazrul .However, the party noted that it would consider participating in the future if the need arises to build a broader coalition. Party sources revealed that following the 11-party divisional rally in Chattogram on June 13, Khelafat Majlis officially asked the alliance not to use the party’s name or its leaders' names on banners or promotional materials for any future events. Later, when the party’s name was used at a rally in Rangpur it was withdrawn following objections from Khelafat Majlis.  Since then, the party's name has not been used in any alliance programmes. Addressing their stance, party leaders noted that while they were part of the initial understanding and maintained a slight presence in some post-election programmes of the 11-party alliance, they have refrained from participating in alliance activities for several days.