Leaders of the Left Democratic Alliance on Saturday expressed concern over remarks made by Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on the eve of Eid.
In a joint statement, they said Yunus's speech ignored the legitimate demands of workers, many of whom had not received their wages and bonuses despite promises made during the previous Ramadan-Eid period.
The statement was signed by Ruhin Hossain Prince, coordinator of the alliance and CPB General Secretary; Shah Alam, CPB president; Bazlur Rashid Firoz, BASAD general secretary; Iqbal Kabir Zahid, RCL general secretary; Masud Rana, BASAD-Marxist Coordinator; Mosharofa Mishu, DRP general secretary; and Abdul Ali, executive president of the Socialist Party of Bangladesh.
Government data indicates rising unemployment and an increasing number of ultra-poor people, the statement said.
Mob violence, extortion, and corruption continue, and people are suffering in silence—none of which were addressed in the chief adviser’s speech, it added.
Regarding the proposed corridor in Rakhine and the lease of Chittagong’s New Mooring Container Terminal to foreign entities, the speakers emphasized that Yunus's speech made it clear these actions would proceed regardless of public opinion.
The announcement of measures to suppress those opposing the terminal lease was condemned as encouraging mob violence.
"No responsible official should incite such unrest, and that the public will ultimately reject such provocations," the statement read.
According to the statement, the speakers described the Chittagong port as highly profitable and warned that leasing it to foreign interests would undermine national sovereignty and security.
As a result, the Left Democratic Alliance and patriotic citizens have announced a Dhaka–Chittagong road march on June 27 and 28 to oppose the government's actions, it said.
The Left Democratic Alliance pledged to continue the campaign and affirmed that no threats would deter patriotic citizens.
The statement noted that while most political parties and the general public wish to see power transferred to an elected government by December—or even sooner—the chief adviser has instead proposed holding the national election in April 2026.
Considering Ramadan, academic exams, the rice harvest, and the monsoon season, they asserted that an election during that time would be wholly unacceptable, the statement said.
The Left Democratic Alliance demands that essential electoral reforms be undertaken immediately so that an elected government can assume power within the current year.
According to the statement, they also called for visible progress in prosecuting the July–August 2024 atrocities.
Any delay in holding elections would, they argued, suggest an attempt to serve the interests of a particular group and expose the country to neo-imperialist influence, leading to long-term crises, it said.
They criticized the chief adviser’s speech for failing to reflect public sentiment and for revealing a clear ambition to prolong his tenure in power.
The statement noted that they condemned the proposal to delay elections until April and urged all left-leaning, progressive, and democratic political parties, organizations, and individuals to unite against any action that threatens national sovereignty, security, or public interest.
By disregarding the will of the majority and favoring specific groups, Yunus has forfeited his neutrality, the statement added.
