Opposition Leader and Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami Shafiqur Rahman today accused the BNP of reneging on its promises and moving towards one-party rule after assuming power.

“Fascists created narratives to divide the nation. And before the election, you (BNP) said you would form an inclusive government. What are you doing now? Sending one group to Pakistan, another to Peshawar -- while trying to monopolise control of the country yourselves,” he said.

The Jamaat chief made the remarks as the chief guest at a rally held at Suhrawardy Udyan in Dhaka today, demanding the implementation of the referendum verdict. The programme was organised by Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish and presided over by its Ameer Mamunul Haque.

Shafiqur said two slogans of the July movement -- “We want justice” and “The country does not belong to anyone’s father” -- reflected the aspirations of the people, adding that this country belongs to the people, not to any individual.

He alleged that the BNP’s “betrayal” forced the 11-party alliance to take to the streets.

Referring to the violence of October 28, 2006, he said the bloodshed marked the beginning of a new phase in politics, adding that some who were once oppressed and fought on the streets have, after coming to power, forgotten the past.

On the referendum issue, he said there is no alternative to a referendum as a legal means to implement the July Charter -- something the BNP had previously acknowledged. During the election campaign, voters were urged to cast two votes -- one for the party symbol and another in favour of the referendum. “Now that very referendum is being termed illegal,” he said.

Describing the government’s position as “contradictory”, he questioned how a referendum could be considered legal before the election but illegal afterwards.

The opposition leader said there would be no need for protests if the referendum verdict is accepted. However, if it is not implemented, protests will continue both in parliament and on the streets.

At the rally, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish announced a three-month programme, including district-level civic rallies in May, June and July, and a mass procession in Dhaka on August 5.

Mamunul Haque, National Citizens’ Party (NCP) leader and Opposition Chief Whip Nahid Islam, Liberal Democratic Party Chairman Col (retd) Oli Ahmed, and Amar Bangladesh Party Chairman Mojibur Rahman Monju, among others, spoke at the event.