The Gono-tantra Mancha has declared that the government has no other option but to resign. Expressing full support for the students’ non-cooperation movement, the Mancha stated that they no longer wish to see this government in power. At a press conference, they called for an immediate political decision to resign without further delay and without causing more grief to mothers. They emphasized that the government’s time is up, and if they have any sense, they will resign, as resignation is the only political solution left. The leaders of the Mancha made these statements at an urgent press conference held at the central office of Nagorik Oikya on Topkhana Road in the capital on Saturday.
At the press conference, Mahmudur Rahman Manna, President of Nagorik Oikya, said, “A procession of death has started. This has turned into a valley of death. The Prime Minister (Sheikh Hasina) still does not realize that her political death knell has sounded. She cannot stop it. I believe, we believe, the government’s time is up. They must go. If they have any sense, they will resign. The sooner they resign, the less damage they will incur. The more they delay, the more harm will come to the country.”
Manna added, “Resign immediately without delay. They are trying to play a game, asking whom they will hand over power to after resigning. Ershad also tried this. You go first, and then we will decide who comes next. The protest movement will understand. We fully support the students’ non-cooperation movement starting on Sunday.”
Saiful Haque, General Secretary of the Revolutionary Workers Party, highlighted the context of the students’ anti-discrimination movement and said, “Staying in power for one more day means economic disaster, political turmoil, more loss of life, persecution, and facing more state violence in Bangladesh. We want to make it clear to the government today that, alongside the students, the people of Bangladesh have made it known that they no longer want to see this government in power. Resign immediately without delay and without causing more grief to mothers.”
Jonayed Saki, Chief Coordinator of the Gono-songhoti Andolon, said, “The students’ uprising has now turned into a people’s uprising. People across the country are now showing solidarity with this struggle. The government has left no other path open for them. Now, there is only one way: this government must leave. They must go. As we have said before and will say again, the political solution is to resign immediately.”
The Gono-tantra Mancha expressed solidarity and support for the students’ non-cooperation movement starting Sunday. They also called upon the people of the country to stand by the students’ call for justice.
At the press conference, statements were made by Sheikh Rafiqul Islam Bablu, a freedom fighter and convener of the Vashani Anusari Parishad, Advocate Hasnat Kaiyum, Chief Coordinator of the State Reform Movement, and Shahid Uddin Mahmud Swapan, General Secretary of the Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD).
