Dhaka, Nov 16 – The opposition alliance Jatiya Oikya Front on Friday sought the cooperation from the editors of national dailies in holding the forthcoming general elections in a free and fair manner. The Oikya Front leader made the urge at a view exchange meeting with the editors of the national dailies at Hotel Lakeshore in the city.
“We have sought all possible cooperation of editors in holding the elections in a free and fair manner,” said Oikya Front spokesperson and BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir at a press briefing after the meeting.
Top Oikya Front leader Dr Kamal Hossain said that they have a fruitful meeting with the editors who drew their attention as to what they expect from the opposition.
He said the editors shared their experiences about the barriers for the voters to cast their votes without fear.
We have a three hours long important meeting with them (editors) on holding a free and fair election in a true sense. We have identified different problems created by the government. We do hope the newspapers will keep a close valiance over the matters, he said.
Meanwhile, an editor told reporters that an editor raised a question as to who would be the prime minister if the Oikya Front voted to power.
In his reply, Dr Kamal Hossain informed him that the party which would obtain the majority of parliamentary seats would take the decision in this regard after the elections.
Oikya Front leader Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury said they expressed their gratitude to the editors for publicising their news and urged them to continue it.
He expressed his firmness to take part in the election despite having different troubles. “We will not stay away from the polls and we will fight to the last,” he added.
A total of 22 editors took part in the view exchange meeting began at 3:00 pm. Among others present from the alliance were BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Moudud Ahmed, JSD president Abdur Rob, and Nagorik Oikya Convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna.
Among the editors, Prothom Alo Editor Matiur Rahman, New Age Editor Nurul Kabir, Manabzamin Editor Matiur Rahman Chowdhury, News Today Editor Moslemuddin Ahmed, Dhaka Tribune Editor Zafar Sobhan, Holiday Editor Kamaluddin Ahmed, and weekly Saptahik Editor Golam Mortaza, were present.
Jatiya Oikya Front was floated on October 13 comprising the major opposition BNP, Gano Forum, JSD, Nagorik Oikya and Krishak Sramik Janata League and Jatiya Oikya Prokriya with seven point demands including the one for holding the next parliamentary election under a nonpartisan government, dissolution of parliament before the polls and recasting the Election Commission, free party chief Khaleda Zia. – Staff Reporter
