Dhaka, Nov 9 (Just News): BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today called upon supporters and activists to wage a movement to meet the demands of Jatiya Oikyafront.
Speaking at the rally in Rajshahi today, he trashed the election schedule and said it will not be accepted unless political prisoners including Begum Khaleda Zia are released.
“Release our all political prisoners and create a level playing field otherwise upcoming general election will not be fruitful,” Fakhrul said at the rally.
Jatiya Oikyafront has been formed in line with the directive of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia to restore democracy in the country and to ensure people rights to vote freely, he said.
Oikyafront leaders held meeting with the prime minister and placed its seven-point demand. “But all our efforts have gone in vain,” he said.
“We said the dialogue will not be successful if Khaleda Zia is not freed from jail. Now, we will have to meet our demands by forging a collective movement,” the BNP leader said.
Dr Kamal Hossain, senior leader of the Jatiya Oikyafront, addressed the rally via telephone and could not attend in person due to his sickness.
He said, the Election Commission announced the schedule for the next general election in a hurry to snatch people’s voting rights.
Addressing the rally, Nagoric Oikya Convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna blasted the Election Commission for hurriedly announcing the schedule for the 11th parliamentary election.
“It has been done only to keep the Jatiya Oikyafront away from the election,” Manna said.
He also criticized Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as she did not meet any demands placed by the Oikyafront before him during two-phase electoral talk.
Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) president ASM Abdur Rab said there would be no elections in the country if the government does not meet the demands of Oikya Front.
“We want to contest in national elections. Don’t instigate us,” he added.
Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) president Oli Ahmed said there is no other option left than taking to the streets to free Khaleda Zia.
Gano Forum’s Mostafa Mohsin Montu and Subrata Chowdhury, among others addressed the rally presided over by BNP chairperson's adviser Mizanur Rahman Minu.
The rally began at Rajshahi Madrasa Maidan in the afternoon to mobilise public support in favour of the alliance's seven-point demands for holding the 11th parliamentary elections in a fair and credible manner.
The Front's seven-point demand includes installation of a neutral interim government, dissolution of parliament, reconstitution the Election Commission, release of all the 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.
The rally activities formally started around 2:00pm with the recitation from the holy Quran and holy Gita.
Several thousand leaders and activists of the BNP holding placards, banners and portraits of its founder Ziaur Rahman, chairperson Khaleda Zia and acting chairman Tarique Rahman started gathering at the rally venue since 11:00am.
They were chanting various slogans demanding Khaleda's release from jail.
The Oikyafront's seven-point demand includes installation of a neutral interim government, dissolution of parliament, reconstitution the Election Commission, release of all the 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.
(Justnews/ys/1800hr)
