Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Nayeb-e-Ameer and Bogura regional director ATM Azharul Islam MP said the party was compelled to take to the streets because the government was delaying implementation of the referendum verdict. He made the remarks on Saturday, August 29, at a meeting of the Dhaka-to-Rangpur long march implementation committee near Hatikumrul roundabout in Sirajganj.

Azhar cited electricity and gas shortages, other social crises, and what he described as a worsening law-and-order situation, saying these had created a crisis of public confidence in the government. He said voters had backed forming a government and constitutional reforms after the fall of an authoritarian fascist government, and that the referendum supported reforming provisions that could enable fascism.

He said two roadside meetings would be held in Sirajganj and Bogura, described as gateways to Rangpur, with leaders of the 11-party alliance expected to speak. He called on people from Bogura, Sirajganj, Pabna and nearby areas to attend by 11am on September 19, urged peaceful and orderly arrangements, and sought cooperation from law-enforcement agencies.