The ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is keeping a close watch on the continuous political programs, including the long march, led by the Jamaat-e-Islami-led 11-party alliance. However, the party has raised various questions regarding the political intent and effectiveness of these street programs organized by the opposition.
Despite reacting in parliament and political speeches, the policymaking tier of the BNP does not currently view this movement by the opposition coalition as a major political challenge. The ruling party is not even contemplating any counter-programs to face the pressure from the opposition.
Rather than responding to opposition programs with political counter-demonstrations while in power, the BNP considers focusing on resolving core issues to be more important. While the party’s main focus is currently on governance, a section of its leaders believes it will be difficult to completely ignore the opposition if they remain active on the ground regarding public-interest issues such as energy, electricity, and commodity prices.
On September 5, the 11-party alliance conducted a long march from Dhaka to Chattogram demanding solutions to the gas, oil, and electricity crises, as well as the implementation of the spirit of the July Mass Uprising and the verdict of the referendum. In continuation of this, the parties have announced similar programs heading toward other divisional cities, including Rangpur, Khulna, and Sylhet.
During these programs, Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman delivered a direct and stern warning to the government. Speaking at a street rally in Mahipal, Feni, he stated that there is a shortage of electricity, gas, and fuel oil in the country, alongside soaring commodity prices and deteriorating law and order. Claiming that the current government has begun betraying the people, he added that no intimidation would be tolerated and resistance would be built wherever obstacles are created.
In response to these allegations and ultimatums from the opposition, the BNP is restricting its reactions to parliament and political statements rather than taking to the streets. Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman questioned the rationale of the long march in parliament, stating that if organizing a long march with a massive convoy of vehicles could solve the gas or electricity crisis, the government would have arranged it first. He also raised the question of whether an unnecessary attempt was being made to agitate the public.
BNP Acting Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi views the BNP’s stance as a standard democratic practice. He mentioned that everyone has the right to conduct political programs, and the BNP views this as a routine political process.
However, Jamaat-e-Islami interprets the BNP’s position differently. Countering the stance, AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad, Assistant Secretary General and Central Executive Council member of Jamaat-e-Islami, remarked that if the opposition’s programs lacked importance, no response would have been given in parliament. He asserted that the BNP has remained quiet primarily because it lacks the capacity or moral standing to launch counter-programs on the streets.
According to top leaders of the BNP, the opposition has every right to engage in politics; however, if public suffering is created in the name of political programs or if the law and order situation deteriorates, the government will take legal action accordingly. After spending nearly two decades in the opposition, the BNP is now in power; hence, governing the nation—rather than street agitation—remains its primary political priority.
