Mamunul Haque warns of tougher programmes if Election Commission is not neutral, long march from Baitul Mokarram to Kushtia

Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis Amir Mamunul Haque has warned that the opposition will be forced to take tougher programmes if the Election Commission does not play a neutral role. He said any tough step necessary would be taken to establish the people's voting rights.

He made the remarks at a press briefing on Tuesday (October 27) at the opposition leader's official residence on Minto Road in the capital, after a meeting of top leaders of the 11-party unity. He said they have concerns and doubts about whether the by-election to be held in Thakurgaon and the upcoming local government elections will be held neutrally.

Mamunul Haque said the Election Commission must play a neutral role. If good sense does not prevail among them, the opposition will be forced to walk the path of tougher programmes. He also alleged that the government has played a shameless role by appointing party people at the secretary level of the Election Commission.

On the announced long march programme, Mamunul Haque said an inaugural rally will be held at 7am at the south gate of Baitul Mokarram. The long march will then pass through various stages and end in Kushtia. He called on all patriotic citizens to join spontaneously in the programme announced to realise the demands of Bangladesh's 180 million people.

On the long march, he said they hope no party will carry out any misactivity centred on this long-distance programme. But if any such misactivity comes to notice, the long march will be made successful by resisting it. He said he does not fear any unpleasant situation in Gopalganj, even though the long march route passes through it.

On Gopalganj, he said the convoy of leaders and activists of the 11-party unity has passed over Gopalganj. If law enforcement agencies remain vigilant, no unpleasant situation will be created there. He noted that there are a large number of Islamist and patriotic people in Gopalganj and that they will be on the streets in large numbers this time as well. Any terrorist activity or misactivity will be confronted. He said Gopalganj's administration has been told to perform its duties properly, and if any unwanted situation is created, the government and administration will have to bear the responsibility.

On the opposition's relationship with the government, he said the opposition has conducted its activities with a cooperative attitude toward the government inside and outside parliament and has also observed tolerant programmes. But the government does not seem to have the proper mindset to accept the opposition's cooperation. In such a situation, they are giving the message of becoming tougher if necessary to realise the people's rights.

Addressing the government, Mamunul Haque said: you are sitting in state power with the people's power, so try to understand the people's mindset, wishes and intentions. Otherwise the consequence will not be good. He also said the government must come forward to solve the country's ongoing crises through the proper process.

Expressing doubt about the upcoming parliament session, he said they are sceptical about how people-friendly the government's agendas will be and how sincere the government will be about solving nationally important issues by consensus with the opposition. A meeting will be held again by the opposition before the parliament session and the next decision will be announced based on discussion, he said.

Presenting the 11-party unity's position demanding state reform and constitutional reform, Mamunul Haque said they have not taken to the field to make a farce. They have taken to the field for the repair of the Bangladesh state and with the debt of the blood of thousands of martyrs. They will not step into any conspiracy or plot, he said.

Criticising the Inspector General of Police's remarks on the law and order situation, he said they are stunned at how the person with the highest responsibility for a country's law and order can speak on a subject like extrajudicial crossfire. He also said they are concerned about the country's law and order situation.