Shafiqur Rahman Criticises Current Government Administrative Monopolisation

The Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and Leader of the Opposition, Shafiqur Rahman, has publicly stated that a single cabinet minister within the current administration is effectively overseeing the operational activities of all government ministries. Furthermore, the opposition leader asserted that this specific minister has also taken on the responsibility of delivering public statements and official communications on behalf of the Prime Minister.

Shafiqur Rahman delivered these critical remarks on Saturday afternoon, 13 June 2026, whilst addressing a major divisional rally as its chief guest. The political demonstration, which was organised by an alliance of eleven political parties, took place at the historic Laldighi Maidan in the port city of Chattogram. The multi-party gathering was specifically convened by the political leadership to formally demand the legislative implementation of a public referendum’s mandate, the immediate alleviation of widespread public suffering, and the implementation of strict state mechanisms to control the escalating prices of essential commodities across local markets.

Satirical Remarks Concerning Cabinet Governance in Chattogram

Directing his speech towards the local audience, the Jamaat Ameer remarked satirically that the residents of the Chattogram region are uniquely fortunate to have been allocated a government minister who acts as an expert on all matters of state governance. He observed that no other district in the country possesses an administrative setup where a single cabinet member exercises such far-reaching control, noting that this individual routinely speaks on behalf of the Prime Minister.

The Leader of the Opposition expressed explicit concern for the position of the Prime Minister regarding this consolidation of vocal authority. Shafiqur Rahman stated that he felt a sense of distress for the head of government, questioning the administrative capability and political motivations of the specific individuals whom the Prime Minister has chosen to position within the immediate circle of the national leadership.

Escalating Extortion and Institutionalisation of Public Sector Corruption

Shifting his focus to the broader socioeconomic environment of the nation, the opposition leader highlighted a significant disparity between public expectations and the current political reality. He stated that the general population had anticipated a complete cessation of widespread extortion and illegal financial collection systems following the formal democratic ascension of an elected government to executive power. However, Shafiqur Rahman asserted that instead of being eradicated, the prevalence of illegal extortion activities across commercial sectors has expanded noticeably under the current political regime.

The Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami further argued that the ruling political authorities had initially pledged to dismantle financial malfeasance and aggressively restrict systemic irregularities upon taking office. In contrast to those administrative assurances, the Leader of the Opposition declared that contemporary political observers are instead witnessing a profound systemic failure, characterising the current state of financial irregularities as the complete nationalisation of corruption across public sectors.

Coalition Leadership Demands Comprehensive Legislative and Financial Reforms

The divisional rally in Chattogram was presided over by Muhammad Shahjahana, who serves as the Assistant Secretary General of Jamaat-e-Islami and functions as the regional director for the Chattogram division team. The high-profile political assembly featured several prominent speakers from the opposition alliance who aligned with the core policy demands presented during the demonstration.

The Chairman of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Dr Colonel Oli Ahmad (Bir Bikram), attended the divisional assembly as the principal speaker and special guest. Addressing the gathered crowd at Laldighi Maidan, the veteran politician and military officer echoed the collective demands of the eleven-party opposition alliance. The leadership panel concluded the event by reiterating their urgent calls for robust price-control enforcement to shield citizens from severe inflationary pressures, alongside immediate legislative actions to honour the outcomes of the public referendum and restore transparency within the national governance framework.