Jatiya Oikya Front explains its stance on general election to foreign diplomats

The Dr Kamal Hossain-led Jatiya Oikya Front alliance has explained its stance on the general elections to the Dhaka-based foreign diplomats.

The Front held a meeting with the diplomats from 30 countries, including the US, the UK, the European Union, Japan, Germany, France, Australia, Turkey, and Pakistan at a hotel in the capital on Thursday, four days after forming the alliance with the BNP.

No leader of the Front agreed to disclose the issues they had discussed in the meeting.

Dr Kamal explained their seven demands and 11 goals to the diplomats, according to Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal-JSD President ASM Abdur Rab.

“It was a successful discussion,” he added.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, who usually briefs the media on the outcome, decided to keep the reporters in suspense this time. “We’ve exchanged views with the diplomats. I can’t say anything else,” he said.

Another leader of the Front, requesting anonymity, said Dr Kamal replied to the diplomats’ questions on the upcoming polls, leadership in the Front, and its stance on BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s participation in the elections, which is uncertain for her jailing for corruption.

Besides Dr Kamal of Gono Forum, Rab, and Mirza Fakhrul, senior BNP leaders Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Moudud Ahmed, Jamiruddin Sircar, Moyeen Khan, JSD’s Tania Rab, Nagorik Oikya Convenor Mahmudur Rahman Manna and former adviser to a caretaker government Barrister Mainul Hosein, among others, attended the meeting.

In response to the ruling Awami League’s refusal to step aside before the election, the BNP, the Gono Forum, the JSD and the Nagorik Oikya have joined hands on the demands for election under a non-partisan government and Khaleda’s release.

The new Front had earlier announced its first programme, a rally, in Sylhet for Oct 23, but the authorities there have denied it permission.  

Sylhet Metropolitan Police refused the Front the permission on Thursday after Sylhet BNP General Secretary Ali Ahmad submitted an application for the rally on Tuesday, the BNP leader told bdnews24.com.