Government wants to impose autocracy by not implementing referendum verdict: Shafiqur Rahman at Zajira street rally
Photo: Collected
Jamaat-e-Islami ameer and Leader of the Opposition Shafiqur Rahman has alleged that the government wants to impose autocracy on the shoulders of the people by not implementing the referendum verdict.
A street rally was held at Naodoba in Zajira, Shariatpur, on Saturday as part of the 11 parties’ long march towards Khulna-Jashore. He made the remarks there.
Shafiqur Rahman said, ‘By not implementing the people’s verdict in the referendum, the BNP has deceived the people and is committing betrayal. The government wants to impose autocracy on the shoulders of the people. We will secure the people’s rights, Insha Allah.’
At the same rally, Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar said the government has shown the people a red card by not implementing the people’s verdict in the referendum; this time the people will show the government a red card to remove it from power.
Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis Secretary General Jalaluddin said, ‘The current government is showing failure. The people voted yes in the referendum to repair the state. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman also sought a yes vote. But after coming to power by engineering the election, their face has changed.’
Background
According to a bdnews24.com report on 13 February 2026, a referendum on implementing the July National Charter was held on 12 February, the same day as the 13th parliamentary election; by Election Commissioner Akhtar Ahmed’s count, turnout was 60.26 percent.
A Prothom Alo report on 6 August 2026 said Shafiqur Rahman had announced the 11 parties’ long march from a sit-in programme at Muktangon; the date of the long march towards Khulna was 10 October and that of the grand rally in Dhaka 14 November. The programme dates differ between sources.
By the numbers
According to a Dhaka Tribune report on 14 February 2026, the gazette of the referendum results showed 4 crore 82 lakh 660 ‘yes’ votes and 2 crore 20 lakh 71 thousand 726 ‘no’ votes.
At a glance
According to a Prothom Alo report on 6 August 2026, the demands of the Jamaat-led 11 parties include implementation of the referendum verdict, control of fuel, gas, electricity and LPG prices, and trial of the killings in the July uprising.
Sources
Original report: Ajker Patrika
Background sources: bdnews24.com, 13 February 2026; Dhaka Tribune, 14 February 2026; Prothom Alo, 6 August 2026
