Oikyafront looks for greater unity

Oikyafront looks for greater unity

Jatiya Oikyafront will forge a greater unity with all the pro-liberation and anti-government political parties to wage a strong movement for the ‘restoration’ of democracy.

“We’ll forge a greater unity. We’ll continue our movement for the restoration of democracy and free people from the hands of autocrat by creating a greater unity of all the pro-liberation and anti-government political parties,” said Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal president ASM Abdur Rob.

He came up with the remarks while talking to reporters after a meeting of Oikyafront’s steering committee on Monday evening at his Uttara residence.

Rob said they will hold their next meeting under the leadership of their convener Dr Kamal Hossain to take a political decision for launching a strong and united anti-government movement.

“We’ve adjourned our meeting as our top leader Dr Kamal Hossain is sick. We’ll work out their next course of action and strategy in the next meeting to be held with Kamal Hossain in the chair,” the JSD president said.

He said their meeting voiced concern over the life and security of BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia as a bomb was recovered from Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University where she has been undergoing treatment since April 1 last.

The Oikyafront leader said several thousand opposition leaders and activists are still in jail while lakhs of others are facing ‘false’ cases. “Our movement will continue until Begum Khaleda Zia and our leaders and activists are not freed.”

Asked about Krishak Sramik Janata League (KSJL) president Abdul Kader Siddiqui’s ultimatum to quit Oikyafront, Rob said their unity is not of any party or individual. “This is the unity of people and the nation and it’ll remain intact.”

Kader Siddiqui said he gave Oikyafront until June 8 to remove the inconsistencies from the alliance, but he still did not get any reply.

“We discussed many things for a long time in a cordial manner today. But our meeting has been dissolved without taking any decision as our veteran leader (Kamal) is sick,” he said.

The KSJL president said he will give the alliance further time to give him a reply and remove the inconsistencies from the alliance. “If the problems are resolved, we’ll sincerely carry out our struggle. We also want a greater national unity. But the foundation of the national unity is not yet become strong.”

BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, standing committee member Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, Gonoforum executive presidents Prof Abu Sayeed, Subrata Chowdhury, general secretary Reza Kibria, JSD general secretary Abdul Malek Ratan and Gonoshasthya Kendra founder Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury were, among others, present at the meeting.