“There is electricity at the home of the power minister. There is electricity in parliament, but there is no electricity in ordinary people’s homes.”

Opposition Leader and Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman

Leaders of the Jamaat-e-Islami-led 11-party alliance yesterday accused the BNP government of failing on economic fronts and betraying democratic mandates, as they closed their Dhaka-Chattogram long march with a rally at the Laldighi Maidan.

Speaking at the rally, alliance figures said there was “no practical difference” between the present government and the BAKSAL regime, alleging that key public offices were being stacked with partisan administrators.

“In its 31-point election manifesto, the BNP promised elected representatives would govern at all levels. Yet today, party loyalists are being appointed as administrators across state organs,” Opposition Leader and Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman said.

“Is this democracy, or is it fascism?” he asked.

Shafiqur warned that while the alliance does not seek to topple the administration outright, the government’s trajectory was paving the way for its own downfall.

Presiding over the rally, LDP President Col (retd) Oli Ahmad said, “Never within two to six months have people across the board voiced doubts about a government’s survival. Today, that is the exact conversation on every citizen’s lips.

“Together, we want such a government to go from this country. There is no difference between this govt and BAKSAL. Party people have been appointed in municipalities, city corporations, district councils, everywhere. Then where is accountability, where is democracy?”

Nahid Islam, convener of the National Citizen Party, urged Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to accept that the government cannot resolve crises alone without opposition support.

The long march began at Shapla Chattar in Motijheel, where Shafiqur vowed to continue the movement “until the people’s rights are secured”.

“We can see that the medicine of our programme has already started working. Its effects are being felt in different places,” Shafiqur said. “If you play with the people’s rights, the people will not spare you.”

The alliance pressed six demands: implementation of the referendum verdict, trials of the July massacre, resolution of crises in electricity, fuel, gas and fertiliser, control of essential prices, improved law and order, and an end to political influence in administration, alongside action against extortion and corruption.

Joined by hundreds of vehicles, the convoy caused congestion at points along the Dhaka-Chattogram highway, including Kanchpur, Cumilla’s Paduar Bazar and Feni’s Mahipal. Leaders had earlier pledged to use one side of the highway to minimise public suffering.

Jamaat media cell said 1,500 vehicles joined the march.

At Shimrail in Narayanganj, Shafiqur accused the government of deceiving citizens over the July charter and referendum verdict.

“We have taken to the streets to implement the people’s verdict in the referendum and the spirit of the July mass uprising. We have taken to the streets to restore gas supplies to your homes and ensure electricity and lighting,” Shafiqur said.

At the same rally, Nahid said, “This government must ensure supplies of fuel, gas and electricity. Otherwise, it will not be able to remain in power.”

At Paduar Bazar in Cumilla, Jamaat Nayeb-e-Ameer Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher said the movement was “not for the government’s resignation but a wake-up call”. He urged the government to “formulate a reasonable plan to resolve the problems”.

Nahid alleged that ministers’ families were involved in corruption and syndicates, claiming the government had failed to deliver on pre-election promises.

At Mahipal in Feni, Shafiqur warned of “the footsteps of fascism”, vowing resistance against intimidation.

“This government has started betraying the people. We can hear the footsteps of fascism. Those who are trying to introduce fascism again will not have to wait 15 years. We will not tolerate anyone’s intimidation. Wherever we face obstruction, we will build resistance,” he said.

He criticised the electricity crisis and stalled trials of mass killings, including at Shapla Chattar and Pilkhana.

“There is electricity at the home of the power minister. There is electricity in parliament, but there is no electricity in ordinary people’s homes,” he said.

Nahid accused the BNP of fuel price syndication, reiterating that unmet six-point demands would become a single-point demand.

At Mirsarai in Chattogram, Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar said the government was clinging to power through its Family Card and Farmers Card programmes.

“The government may have two cards, but the people have the red card. They will show it very soon,” he added.