Dhaka, Oct 24 (Just News): Leaders of the new opposition coalition have asked the people to unite for launching a movement to restore voting rights and hold a fair election in the country.
Holding its first rally in Sylhet on Wedneday, the leaders of Jatiya Oikya Front or National Unity Front said their movement began.
Secretary general of BNP, a key player in the front, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir called it a march for restoration of democracy.
Front leader and Gano Forum president Kamal Hossain expressed optimism about victory of the people through the coalition's movement.
The coalition, formally launched on 13 October, organised the rally to mobilise public support in favour of its demands, especially holding of the next general elections under a non-party administration.
Citing massive rigging, intimidation and manipulation in recent civic elections, the front leaders insisted that the national elections must be held under a neutral government.
“The 11th parliamentary election can in no way be held under prime minister Sheikh Hasina,” front leader and Nagorik Oikya convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna told the rally.
Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal chief ASM Abdur Rab echoed the same sentiment, saying, "It's a fight for vote, fight for democracy and fight for collective existence."
Criticising the Awami League government for its repressive measures, he cautioned that if any more opposition leaders and activists are arrested, the people will take to the street.
A portion of the Jatiya Oikya Front`s rally at Registry Field in Sylhet on Wednesday. Photo: Prothom AloSylhet city mayor and BNP leader Ariful Haque Chowdhury presided over the rally which started around 2pm with recitation from the holy Quran and holy Gita.
Speaking at a public rally at the city's Registry Field, Front leader Kamal Hossain said the people will again become the owners of the republic as the victory of the coalition is certain through a united movement.
"We'll again become the country's owners and bring the country under our control, ensure people's overall welfare and equality through a united movement," he was quoted by UNB as saying.
The rally concluded peacefully despite arrest of many opposition leaders and activists on the night before, and obstacles to joining the rally.
A huge number of leaders and activists of Oikya Front, especially many from the BNP, joined the rally.
The law enforcement twice denied the permission for holding the rally, but later gave it. The ruling Awami League also observed a programme on the same day.
Kamal further said, "I can assure you that our victory is certain through the unity of the Oikyafront."
He said though the government talks about development, only a handful of people have been benefited. "The development of a few people is not the real development...we want the development of all. Let's get united for the real development."
He reminded the people that the Bengalis had been successful whenever they got united in the past. "So, get united thinking about our victory, we'll surely be the owner of state power, and we'll take the country forward with our united efforts so that we can enjoy our all rights."
Kamal Hossain addresses the rally in Sylhet on Wednesday. Photo: Prothom AloBefore the start of the rally, the senior leaders of the Oikyafront visited the shrines of Hazrat Shahjalal (R), Shah Paran (R) and the grave of general MAG Osmani, and offered fateha there on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.
Several hundred leaders and activists of the party holding placards, banners and portraits of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman, chairperson Khaleda Zia and acting chairman Tarique Rahman started thronging the rally venue since noon. They chanted various slogans demanding Khaleda's release from jail.
A huge law enforcement personnel were deployed in the city and around the rally venue.
The Oikya Front's seven-point demand includes installation of a neutral interim government, dissolution of parliament, reconstitution the election commission, release of all political prisoners, deployment of army and cancellation of the move to use electronic voting machines (EVMS) for holding the next polls in fair and acceptable manner.
After the Sylhet Rally, Oikya Front is scheduled to hold another such programme at Laldighi Maidan in Chattogram city on 27 October.
However, the coalition is yet to yet get permission for the rally.
(Justnews/ys/2300hr)
