Top leaders of the 11-Party Alliance on Saturday accused the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) of shifting its position on the referendum and July Charter issues following its victory in the 13th National Parliament elections.
Speaking at a rally held at Baitul Mukarram North Gate, leaders from Jamaat-e-Islami, Jatiya Nagorik Party (NCP), and other alliance members criticised BNP for what they called "opportunistic and hypocritical" politics. This was the alliance's first anti-government protest since the elections.
NCP Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain claimed that BNP had fully agreed on the referendum and July Charter in several pre-election meetings and had publicly supported these issues in rallies. He argued that the party's subsequent delay reflects a power-centred and self-serving mentality.
Amir of Bangladesh Khilafat Majlis, Maulana Muhammad Mamunul Haque, described BNP politics as based on "hypocrisy and opportunism." Citing a village parable, he said the party favours ordinances that protect its power but resists those ensuring accountability. He also alleged that BNP secretly campaigned for "No" during the election while publicly advocating "Yes," calling it a clear example of hypocrisy. Mamunul Haque warned that any High Court decision against the people could spark street protests, emphasising that no party can maintain power against the will of 70 percent of the populace.
Jamaat leader Dr Shafiqul Islam Masud questioned whether the public supports constitutional change or genuine reforms, asserting that BNP would face the consequences of deceptive politics if it ignored the people's mandate.
Following the rally, alliance leaders and activists staged a protest march from Baitul Mukarram to Kakrail via Paltan, Bijoynagar, and Nightingale intersection, shouting slogans demanding implementation of the July Charter, referendum, and reforms.
The rally was led by Jamaat-e-Islami Nayeb-e-Amir ATM Azharul Islam, who said the July Revolution sought not just to change power but to end dictatorship and establish justice. He added that while both the election and referendum were held under the same legal framework, only the referendum is being questioned, revealing the government's weak ideological stance.
Other speakers included Assistant Secretary Hamidur Rahman Azad, NCP leader Akhtar Hossain, JAGPA spokesperson Rashed Pradhan, Jamaat Dhaka South Secretary Dr Shafiqul Islam Masud, North Secretary Dr Rezaul Karim, freedom fighter Major (retd.) Akhtaruzzaman, and Bangladesh Development Party Chairman Anwarul Islam Chan.
