The 11-party alliance led by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami aims to launch a mass movement to press for the implementation of the referendum decision.
After organizing rallies, seminars and leaflet distribution campaigns, the alliance is now planning to hold meetings in divisional cities with the aim of exerting political pressure on the ruling authorities, followed by a grand rally in the capital.
Multiple sources at the policymaking level within the coalition have indicated that current programs focus primarily on building public opinion and strengthening organizational preparedness.
They intend to expand the scope of activities in the next phase after assessing the ground situation and political response.
The possibility of adopting a tougher schedule, if necessary, is also being discussed.
The alliance observed a week-long event from 9 to 15 April, during which it distributed leaflets across the country, held protests at the metropolitan and district levels, and held a national symposium in Dhaka on 13 April.
Subsequently, on 16 April, top leaders of the alliance called a meeting at Al-Falah Auditorium adjacent to the Jamaat’s central office in Moghbazar, Dhaka.
After the meeting, he announced a series of events from 18 April to 2 May at a press conference.
A mass procession was held in Dhaka on 18 April; Further processions are scheduled for divisional towns on April 25 and district towns on May 2.
Apart from this, seminars and leaflet distribution activities will continue in divisional and major district towns during this period.
Sources in the Liaison Committee of the 11-party alliance have said that preparations are underway for processions in divisional and district cities. They are also finalizing the seminar topics and selecting the speakers.
On 12 February, coinciding with the 13th parliamentary election, a referendum was held to implement the 48 constitutional proposals outlined in the July Charter.
Nearly 70 percent of voters supported the proposals. According to the implementation order of the July National Charter, elected members were required to take two oaths: one as members of Parliament and the other as members of the Constitutional Reform Council.
However, at the swearing-in ceremony on 17 February, members of the opposition – including members of the Jamaat and the National Citizen Party (NCP) – took both oaths, while members of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) did not take the second oath. As a result, the Constitutional Reform Council has not yet been formed.
Jamaat leaders have alleged that although the BNP had signed the July Charter, it was reneging on its commitments after assuming power, leading to a political and constitutional crisis.
However, the BNP says that while it is implementing most of the provisions of the July Charter, it had previously filed a “note of disagreement” on some issues and is therefore not obliged to implement those particular provisions.
A mass procession was held in Dhaka on 18 April; Further processions are scheduled for divisional towns on April 25 and district towns on May 2. Apart from this, seminars and leaflet distribution activities will continue in divisional and major district towns during this period.
Meanwhile, opposition MPs have played an active role in Parliament demanding implementation of the referendum decision.
In parallel, they have launched field-level programs as a strategy to maintain pressure on the government.
Jamaat assistant general secretary and coordinator of the 11-party alliance Hamidur Rahman Azad told Prothom Alo on 17 April, “The programs being announced in phases will continue until the referendum decision is implemented. If the government does not accept the referendum decision, the 11-party alliance will move towards tougher programmes.”
next plans
Multiple sources at the policymaking level within the 11-party coalition say they expected the immediate launch of reform initiatives in line with the referendum results.
However, despite the passage of time, no significant progress has been made on this issue. This has created uncertainty among the public, which is now serving as a backdrop for ongoing political events.
According to sources, the opposition intends to gradually increase political pressure on the government and is preparing its programs accordingly.
A preliminary outline of activities beyond May 2 has already been prepared. The dates and specifics will be finalized at the alliance’s Liaison Committee meeting, which is likely to be held next week.
It is difficult to keep workers continuously engaged over a long period of time. Secondly, issues related to law and order as well as public inconvenience may also arise. For this reason, the parties intend to proceed in phases, taking careful consideration of the prevailing circumstances.
At a press conference on Thursday, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami general secretary Mia Golam Porwar said the 11-party alliance would continue to announce programs in phases until the referendum decision is implemented.
He also issued a warning to the government, saying, “If any attempt is made to suppress the protests, the results will not be favourable.”
Relevant sources further indicate that, like the period before the 13th parliamentary elections, when top leaders of the Jamaat and allies actively participated in public rallies, central and senior opposition leaders will similarly participate in the upcoming events in divisional and district towns.
For the planned national grand rally, they are considering bringing leaders and activists from across the country to the capital Dhaka.
A senior leader of a party within the coalition told Prothom Alo that the opposition expects the government to accept their demands.
However, he said that if the government fails to respond, future programs will become more stringent.
Active in Parliament, mobilized on the streets
Many sources associated with the alliance say that sustaining the movement for a long time presents significant challenges.
First, it is difficult to keep workers continuously engaged over long periods of time. Secondly, issues related to law and order as well as public inconvenience may also arise.
For this reason, the parties intend to proceed in phases, taking careful consideration of the prevailing circumstances.
They are keeping in mind factors like Eid-ul-Azha, SSC and HSC exams, weather conditions and overall national situation while planning their events.
According to these sources, the next phase of the programs will probably extend till the monsoon season. During this period, the alliance also plans to remain vocal on issues of public interest.
Overall, the current sequence of programs may continue till the end of August. Leaders are already considering more drastic action from September or October if their demands are not met.
Leaders of constituent parties believe that broad political unity is necessary on the issue of referendum.
To this end, he has initiated informal contacts with additional political groups outside the 11-party coalition. He argues that the wider the scope of the programmes, the greater will be the pressure on the government.
Another key aspect of their strategy involves parallel pressure inside Parliament and on the streets.
Parties with parliamentary representation will raise the issue within the legislature, while partner groups will continue area-level programmes.
Mustafizur Rahman Iran, president of the Bangladesh Labor Party, which is part of the 11-party alliance, told Prothom Alo on April 17, “The BNP government is not respecting the value of the people’s vote. The referendum decision is not being implemented. As a result, public support for the opposition alliance is increasing. In support of the demand to implement the referendum decision, it is the people who will take to the streets for their voting rights.”
Analysts believe that the success of the opposition alliance will depend on how peacefully, consistently and inclusively it can continue its protest.
Political developments in the coming weeks are likely to determine the nature and direction of its future programmes.