Dhaka, Oct 18 – The newly formed Jatiya Oikya Front yesterday briefed the foreign diplomats based in Dhaka about its seven-point charter of demands and 11-point visions to hold the next general elections in a free and fair manner. Leaders of Oikya Front also briefed the diplomats over the latest developments in the political arena and explained the circumstance behind the formation of the opposition alliance, according to meeting sources.
While briefing the diplomats at Hotel Lakeshore in Gulshan, Dr Kamal Hossain Convenor of Jatiya Oikya Prokriya, a major ally of the Jatiya Oikya Front, answered the various questions of diplomats over creating a congenial atmosphere for the next general elections, pre-conditions for a participatory election, release of political leaders including BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia and their participation in the next polls.
The Oikya Front also handed over the diplomats representing different countries including the USA, UK and European Union the papers on its seven point demands and 11-points visions, sources said.
After emerging from the meeting, president of Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) ASM Abdur Rab said Dr Kamal Hossain briefed the diplomats over holding the next genera lection in a free, fair and neutral manner.
“We have had a closed-door briefing with ambassadors, high commissioners and representatives of different countries based in Dhaka. Our top leader Dr Kamal Hossain of Jatiya Oikya Front briefed them about our seven point demands and 11-point visions. He (Kamal) also answered them over many questions, he said.
He also termed the meeting a successful one. Replying to a question, BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, who among others, was also present at the meeting, said they have exchanged views with the diplomats and declined to speak further about it.
At the beginning of the one and half an hour long meeting that began at 3:30pm, the BNP leader welcomed the foreign diplomats and introduced the Oikya Front leaders with them.
Diplomats from about 30 countries including USA, UK, China, European Union, Japan, Germany, France, Australia, Turkey, Pakistan, Switzerland and Norway attended the meeting.
Oikya Front leaders Dr Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Barrister Moudud Ahmed, Jamirudidn Sircar, Barrister Rafiqul Islam Miah, Mirza Abbas, Tania Rab, Abdul Malek Ratan, Mostafa Mohsin Montu, Subrata Chowdhury, Mahmudur Rahman Manna, SM Akbar, Shahidullah Kaiser, Abdullah Al Noman
and Maj (Retd) Hafizuddin Ahmed, Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury and Barrister Mainul Hosein were present at the meeting.
Meanwhile, the Jatiya Oikya Front is yet to get police permission to hold its planned public meeting in Sylhet on October 23.
Ali Ahmed, general secretary of Sylhet district BNP, yesterday confirmed that they were not given police permission to hold the public meeting on October 23 at Registrary ground in the city.
“We sought police permission in written from Sylhet Police Commissioner on October 17 to hold our public meeting on October 23 at Registrary ground but police on Thursday requested us over the telephone
not to hold the meeting,” he said.
The BNP said they are communicating with the Oikya Front leaders to determine their next course of action.
He expressed his hope that the police would give them permission to hold the meeting.
Meanwhile, SMP commissioner Golam Kibria told reporters that the BNP leaders sought permission for the public meeting but they did not give permission for the sake of peoples interests.
The Jatiya Oikya Front in a meeting on Tuesday decided to hold the public meeting first of its kind in Sylhet on October 23 to mobilize people about their seven points demands and 11-points visions to hold
a neutral election.
IN another development, a new organization namely Movement for Justice and led by former student leader Sanaul Haque Niru has been formed yesterday with a view to join the Jatiya Oikya Front.
Niru, who is chief coordinator of the organization announced the name of the organization at a press conference at Jatiya Press Club yesterday. – Staff Reporter
