The government has failed to secure the cooperation of the opposition: Jamaat Ameer

BanglaPress Desk: In the seven months since assuming power, the BNP-led government has dismantled all state institutions. The opposition had previously considered offering its cooperation for the nation’s development, but the government failed to engage or accept such support. Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and Leader of the Opposition in the National Parliament, remarked that this government is following the same path as the previous autocratic regime.
He made these comments on Sunday (October 18) during an open discussion held at the Shafiqul Kabir Auditorium of the Dhaka Reporters Unity in Segunbagicha, Dhaka. The event, titled "A One-Year Review: Promises and Expectations of the July Charter," was organized by the Amar Bangladesh (AB) Party.
The Jamaat Ameer stated that the BNP-led government is treading the same path as the Awami League government, which was ousted in a mass uprising.
Dr. Shafiqur Rahman reiterated that the BNP-led government has destroyed all state institutions over the past seven months. Although the opposition had contemplated extending its cooperation for the country's development, the government failed to utilize this offer. This administration is effectively following in the footsteps of the former autocracy.
"Therefore," he said, "from now on, we will focus our support on the 180 million people of this country. Even if the BNP has changed, we remain steadfast in our commitments. Insha'Allah, we will ensure the realization of the July Charter and the mandate of the referendum."
Pointing out that the BNP has conveniently forgotten its own past, the Jamaat Ameer noted that until the afternoon of August 5, 2024, the BNP was a party much like our own—yet, since then, it has abruptly discarded its own history.
"While we may have held differing views on certain issues, there was no disagreement regarding the referendum. We advocated for holding the referendum first to avoid any uncertainty, but they opposed this. Instead, they insisted on holding both events on the same day. Consequently, the election and the referendum took place simultaneously. Furthermore, the Election Commission indicated that the Members of Parliament were required to take two separate oaths—a requirement that was not fulfilled. Ever since that day, the BNP has adopted an aggressive stance."
The Jamaat Ameer added that while the BNP’s representatives took their oaths as Members of Parliament, they failed to take the oath as members of the parliamentary council. Instead, they have persisted in their pattern of conspiracy and betrayal against the nation. Now, they are trying to argue—in a roundabout, convoluted way—that the nation granted them a five-year mandate to govern by electing them to power. Yet, had the BNP truly reflected on the outcomes of those two elections, there would have been no need for us to wage a movement from outside the parliament. It is they who have forced the opposition onto the path of agitation.
BP/TD