The Jamaat-led 11-party alliance on Sunday said that public trust in the government had hit rock bottom over the last six months.

Top leaders of the alliance met at the official residence of the leader of the opposition on Dhaka's Minto Road, after which Nahid Islam, convener of the National Citizen Party (NCP) and opposition chief whip, shared the alliance’s assessment at a press briefing.

“It all started with the failure to implement the public mandate of the referendum and the refusal to take oath for the Constitution Reform Council,” the opposition chief whip said.

“Upon returning to the country, Tarique Rahman claimed that he had a plan to stabilise both the nation and the economy. It is now evident that the government’s entire 180 days have been rife with mismanagement,” he said.

The NCP convener said load-shedding was affecting the entire country, including the capital, and had reached the highest levels in the nation’s history.
He said hundreds of factories were shutting down amid fuel and gas shortages, leaving business owners deeply concerned.

“On one hand, they face the burden of extortion, on the other, they are not receiving gas and electricity. Meanwhile, a fertiliser crisis has emerged, severely affecting farmers.

“While the overall situation of the country is in this state, the government, instead of acknowledging these issues, is trying to paint a picture of 180 days of success, which is outright deception,” he said.

Nahid said the cabinet reshuffle within just six months demonstrated that the government lacked proper planning and groundwork.

He said that the government would have to repeatedly reshuffle the cabinet because most ministers would end up failing.

Describing the government’s foreign policy as “lacking confidence”, Nahid said, “This government failed to hold the Indian government appropriately accountable for permitting the Awami League to hold a press briefing in Delhi on August 5.”

He said fostering good relations with Bangladesh was impossible while allowing and indulging Awami League activities in Delhi.

“The 11-party alliance does not believe Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s visit to India would benefit the country until the Awami League issue is resolved and justice for Sheikh Hasina and the killers of Osman Hadi is ensured,” Nahid said.

He said the primary focus of the meeting was the alliance’s long march programme.

The meeting was also attended by Jamaat Ameer and Leader of the Opposition Shafiqur Rahman, Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar, Assistant Secretary General and Liaison Committee Coordinator of the 11-party alliance Hamidur Rahman Azad, and Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish Ameer Mamunul Haque.

The 11-party alliance’s long marches are scheduled to begin on September 5.
The first long march is expected from Dhaka to Chattogram on September 5, followed by Dhaka to Rangpur on September 19.

The alliance is set to march towards Jashore via Khulna and Kushtia on October 31, and towards Sylhet by rail on November 21.