5-point demand: Eight-party alliance calls Ctg rally on 5 Dec; key coalition leaders to attend

The eight-party alliance, currently campaigning on a five-point agenda, will hold a divisional rally in Chattogram on 5 December ahead of the national election, with senior leaders from the coalition expected to attend.

The announcement was made at a press conference at the Chattogram Press Club this afternoon (3 December), a day after Jamaat-e-Islami and the eight-party alliance agree to join the referendum on election day.

The briefing was presided over by Chattogram City Ameer of Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Md Jannatul Islam, while the written statement was read out by Muhammad Shahjahan, central assistant secretary of Jamaat-e-Islami.

The alliance is demanding a national referendum before the implementation of the July Charter, the introduction of a Proportional Representation (PR) system in both houses of Parliament, the establishment of a level playing field for the national election, visible prosecution of alleged genocide and corruption by the Awami League, and a ban on political activities by the Jatiya Party and the 14-Party Alliance, whom they accuse of being complicit in the Awami League's "misdeeds".

In the written statement, Shahjahan said, "The July National Charter clearly stipulates that the opinion of the people will be given the highest priority before determining the country's future political outline. Therefore, holding a referendum before the national election is not just a political demand; it is a practical reflection of the national aspiration for reform. Without a referendum, the outcome of the election will in no way reflect the people's mandate."

He further stated, "The fascist Awami League usurped the people's right to vote, established a reign of enforced disappearance and murder, and perpetrated genocide. Without visible justice for these acts, the establishment of lasting democracy in the country is impossible."

Shahjahan added, "We demand an election environment where everyone has equal opportunities — a level playing field. It is the essence of democracy that people will elect a party to power if they wish, and not if they don't. The prohibition of the illegal political activities of the autocratic Awami League's collaborators, the Jatiya Party and the 14-Party Alliance, is now a demand of the hour. To purify the country's politics, their subversive activities must cease."

He concluded by urging the residents of Chattogram to attend the 5 December rally and help ensure its success.

The rally will begin after Jumma prayers at the Laldighi Maidan in Chattogram city.

Speakers at the rally will include Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Shafiqur Rahman; Senior Nayeb-e-Ameer of Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Mufti Syed Muhammad Faizul Karim; Ameer of Bangladesh Khilafat Majlish, Maulana Mamunul Haque; Ameer of Bangladesh Nizam-e-Islam Party, Principal Maulana Sarwar Kamal Azizi; Secretary-General of Khilafat Majlis, Ahmad Abdul Quader; Vice-President and Spokesperson of the Jatiya Ganatantrik Party (Jagpa), Rashed Prodhan; Ameer of Bangladesh Khilafat Andolan, Maulana Habibullah Miaji; and Chairman of the Bangladesh Development Party, Advocate AKM Anwarul Islam Chan, along with other central leaders.

Earlier yesterday, Jamaat and eight other Islamic parties agreed to participate in the referendum on the same day as the national election, citing the need to uphold national stability and respect the remarks of the chief adviser.

Though the parties had initially proposed holding the referendum and the general election separately.

Speaking to journalists at Rangpur, Jamaat-e-Islami Assistant Secretary General Maulana Abdul Halim said, "A referendum is essential to give legal basis to the government's order issued to implement the July Charter.

"The eight parties had proposed that the referendum be held separately, in November, rather than on the same day as the general election. Holding both on the same day could create concerns and mixed situations -- that is why we preferred separate arrangements."

"However, in the interest of the country's stability, and out of respect for the chief adviser's statement, we have agreed to participate in the referendum on the same day," he added.