8 demands may turn into one: Shafiqur

Leader of the Opposition and Jamaat-e-Islami amir Dr Shafiqur Rahman on Saturday warned that the eight-point demands raised by the ongoing long march could turn into a single-point demand at any time, depending on the needs of the people.

He made the remarks at a roadside rally on Tangail Road at Bhogra Bypass in Gazipur around 9:30am while speaking during the long march towards Rangpur.

Shafiqur said the long march was being held to press for the demands of the people, including supplying gas to households, keeping industries operational, ensuring uninterrupted electricity, addressing the suffering of people facing water shortages, and ending extortion at roads, markets and transport stands.

‘Our long march is for delivering gas to people’s homes, keeping industries running and ensuring uninterrupted electricity. It is for ending the suffering of people who are crying out for water. It is also for stopping extortion everywhere — on roads, in markets and at transport stands,’ he said.

He said the march was also aimed at freeing the country from corruption and opposing what he described as hegemonic influence.

‘Our long march is for making a country plagued by corruption free of corruption. It is against domination. It is also for overcoming the deterioration in the law and order situation,’ he said.

Shafiqur said the demands belonged to the people and that the alliance had taken to the streets with their demands rather than any party-specific agenda.