The BNP sees the series of long marches and rallies organized by the Jamaat-e-Islami-led 11-party alliance, just six months after the BNP government took office, as an attempt to exert political pressure on the government rather than simply a campaign over public demands.
BNP leaders also argue that repeated street programs and threats to bring down the government, while parliament remains functional, are inconsistent with the role of a responsible opposition.
The Jamaat-led alliance has already held a Dhaka-Chittagong long march with a six-point set of demands. It has since announced several more long marches and rallies along different routes, including in Dhaka.
Alliance leaders have warned that failure to meet their demands could turn the six-point movement into a one-point campaign against the government.
BNP leaders say issues including shortages of electricity, gas, fuel and fertilizer, rising commodity prices, law and order, corruption and criminal activities are also among the government’s priorities.
The government is working to address these problems, they say. But they argue that sustained street pressure just six months into the government’s tenure could create political instability.
Why take to the streets instead of parliament?
One of the BNP’s main questions about Jamaat’s programs is why the opposition is taking to the streets while parliament remains functional.
BNP Acting Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said the opposition had chosen the streets instead of raising its demands and proposals in parliament. He believes the programs are aimed at diverting public attention from the government’s work.
The BNP argues that the opposition’s responsibility is to highlight the government’s shortcomings, raise public demands in parliament and, when necessary, ensure accountability through parliamentary procedures.
Instead, the party says, prolonged street programs and threats to topple the government send a different political message.
Where does the government differ on the demands?
The Jamaat-led alliance’s demands include implementing the referendum verdict, bringing those responsible for the July killings to justice, resolving shortages of electricity, fuel, gas and fertilizer, controlling commodity prices, ending extortion and corruption, improving law and order and preventing the misuse of politics.
Statements from BNP leaders suggest that the government has no fundamental disagreement with most of these issues. Ensuring stable supplies of electricity, gas and fuel, controlling prices and improving law and order are also among the government’s priorities.
The BNP, however, says longstanding problems cannot be resolved overnight. Addressing them requires administrative capacity, time and sustained efforts.
The party argues that putting the government under pressure through prolonged street protests while that process is underway could make the situation more complicated.
BNP highlights public suffering
Alongside questioning Jamaat’s political motives, the BNP is highlighting the public inconvenience caused by the programs.
The long march disrupted traffic on major roads, including the Dhaka-Chittagong highway, affecting the movement of ordinary people. The government has also said such programs result in substantial fuel consumption and cause economic losses.
Prime Minister’s Political Assistant Rashed Khan described Jamaat’s long march as a cause of public suffering and economic losses.
“Jamaat’s long march has no public interest or genuine public involvement. Jamaat and the Awami League have become political allies in their pursuit of power, and the long march has been organized with the aim of creating disorder in the country,” he said.
Political strength does not mean public support
BNP Standing Committee Member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy also sees Jamaat’s programs as an attempt to demonstrate political strength.
“Forming an alliance and displaying strength on the streets does not automatically translate into public support. People know very well who is moving from one place to another in pursuit of power or hoping for a share of parliamentary seats. Any attempt to destabilize the government will be politically resisted,” he said.
The BNP’s position is that Jamaat’s long marches should not be viewed simply as issue-based programs but as part of a broader political strategy.
A call to topple the government after six months
The government’s age is another key BNP argument against Jamaat’s campaign.
BNP leaders are questioning the political justification for threatening to launch a movement to topple an elected government just six months after it assumed office, particularly when such a campaign could undermine political stability.
Abdur Razzaq Khan, a Dhaka University teacher and political analyst, said Jamaat did not appear to genuinely believe in democracy.
“It does not seem that Jamaat truly believes in democracy. It is demanding the fall of a government that has been in office for only six months. This is not beneficial for the country,” he said.
He also praised the BNP government for showing political tolerance in dealing with the long march. According to him, allowing the program to proceed without obstruction while providing security demonstrated the government’s tolerance.
“The BNP government has shown tolerance by providing security for the long march and not obstructing it in any way. We did not see such tolerance under the previous government,” he said.
More programs ahead
Jamaat, however, has shown no indication that it will back down in the face of BNP criticism.
The 11-party alliance has announced a series of further programs to press its demands.
It plans to hold a long march from Dhaka to Rangpur on September 19, from Dhaka to Khulna on October 10 and from Dhaka to Sylhet on October 24.
The alliance has also announced a grand rally in Dhaka on November 14.
