'Time is running out': Shafiqur warns govt to implement referendum verdict or face consequences

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and opposition leader Shafiqur Rahman
today (13 June) warned that the BNP-led government would face consequences if
it failed to implement what he described as the "people's verdict"
expressed through the referendum.
"Time is very limited and it's
running out. If there is no change within this period, they must be prepared to
face the consequences," Shafiqur said while addressing a divisional rally
organised by the 11-party alliance at Chattogram's Laldighi Maidan.
Calling on the government to accept
the outcome of the referendum and respond to public demands, he said issues
such as rising commodity prices and public hardship required urgent attention.
"If the government does not voluntarily accept the referendum verdict and
public demands, it will eventually be compelled to do so, just as it was forced
to pass the caretaker government bill in 1996," he said. "Accept it
peacefully. Do not push people onto the streets."
Rejecting what he described as
threats of imprisonment and execution against opposition activists, Shafiqur
said Jamaat members were prepared to endure imprisonment and sacrifice their
lives for the country.
"Remember, neither prison bars
nor those holding the keys are permanent. Times change," he said.
Referring to recent remarks by
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman during visits to different districts, the Jamaat
chief alleged an increasing concentration of power within the government.
He claimed the country had
effectively been left with "a minister who is an expert on all subjects
and runs every ministry", adding that even key government functions were
increasingly dependent on a small circle of decision-makers.
Shafiqur also accused the prime
minister of providing misleading information during a recent visit to Cox's
Bazar by claiming opposition parties had objected to proposed tax increases on
narcotics and intoxicants in the budget.
"The office of the prime
minister is a state institution. It is embarrassing and harmful for the nation
when inaccurate and false information repeatedly comes from that
position," he said.
He further alleged that opposition
lawmakers were not being given adequate opportunities to speak in parliament.
"We have moved to the people's
parliament, the streets, to raise public concerns," he said.
Shafiqur also alleged that
extortion had increased despite expectations that an elected government would
curb such practices.
"Corruption has now been nationalised,"
he claimed.
Addressing the rally, Opposition
Chief Whip and National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam criticised the
proposed national budget, alleging that it lacked measures to curb corruption,
financial irregularities and bank-related misconduct.
"The prime minister may be
upset by our criticism of the budget, but why should we praise it?" Nahid
said. "There is no mechanism in this budget to stop corruption, looting
and the takeover of banks."
"How much of the budget will
actually be spent on public welfare and how much will end up in the pockets of
ruling party leaders and activists remains unclear," he added.
Describing the budget as detached
from economic realities, Nahid claimed its implementation would require
substantial foreign borrowing.
"Without ensuring good
governance, transparency and reforms, corruption and looting cannot be
stopped," he said.
Nahid also alleged that efforts
were underway to return Islami Bank to the control of the S Alam Group.
"The people of Bangladesh know
who rode in S Alam's vehicles to receive receptions and who continues to
protect them. The public will not accept this occupation," he said.
Referring to the alleged assault of
national cricketer Nayeem Hasan by members of the Detective Branch (DB) of
police, Nahid said reforms in the police, Anti-Corruption Commission and
judiciary remained necessary.
"Even yesterday (12 June), a
cricketer in Chattogram was picked up and tortured by DB police. Since police
reforms have not taken place, oppression against ordinary people has
resumed," he alleged.
"If the government chooses the
path of authoritarianism again, the people, too, will be forced to pursue the
path of mass uprising."
Nahid also condemned the reported
killing of a Bangladeshi national along the Moulvibazar border shortly after
the arrival of India's new high commissioner.
"We want to state clearly that
friendship cannot be built with barbed wire and bullets," he said.
Presiding over the rally, Liberal
Democratic Party Chairman Col (retd) Oli Ahmad said law and order remained a
major public concern.
"Mothers, sisters and
daughters do not feel safe leaving their homes or attending schools and
colleges. The government must act firmly to protect people from
criminals," he said.
Among others, the rally was
addressed by Chattogram-15 MP Shahjahan Chowdhury, Jamaat-e-Islami Assistant
Secretary General Muhammad Shahjahan, NCP Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary,
National Democratic Party spokesperson Rashed Prodhan, Amar Bangladesh Party
General Secretary Asaduzzaman Fuad, Bangladesh Development Party Chairman AKM
Anwarul Islam, and 11-party alliance coordinator and Jamaat Assistant Secretary
General Hamidur Rahman Azad.
















