Dhaka, Nov 6 – Jatiya Oikya Front leaders yesterday warned that they would take to the streets if the government does not accept their seven-point charters of demands for holding a free, fair neutral election. Addressing a huge public meeting at Suhrawardy Udyan, the leaders reiterated their demands for dissolution of parliament, the release of BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia and reconstitution of the Election Commission.
BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, who presided over the public meeting, announced that if their demands are not implemented through dialogue they would launch road march towards Rajshahi on November 8 and they would bring out a procession towards the EC if it does not defer the announcement of polls schedule.
Oikya Front leader and Gano Forum president Dr Kamal Hossain, who spoke at the meeting as the chief guest, said the people have risen up and they could not be resisted by creating obstacles.
“The people have to stand on strong footing. They have to get united at district and Upazila levels for movement. The people cannot be made inactive by stopping streets, water and railways,” he said.
The veteran jurist claimed that BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia has been kept in jail unjustly and illegal and demanded her release.
Calling upon the people to take an oath for holding a free and fair election, he said they have to play a role of guard.
The Oikya Front organized the public meeting a day before they are going to sit in the second phase of dialogue with the Prime Minister today.
Carrying banners and festoons, leaders and activists of Oikya Front started gathering at Suhrawardy Udyan with small processions after12:00 pm and the venue and its adjacent areas field up with the people with the beginning of the meeting at 2:00 pm.
The traffic movement has come standstill due to frequent procession of the Oikya Front activists pushing the people to sufferings for hours.
Dr Kamal Hossain called upon the people to raise their voices as the owner of the country for holding a free and fair election.
He alleged that the present government had promised to hold another election after January 5, 2014 poll, but they did not keep their words even in last five years.
The government’s word has no value of a single penny. It has proved it through January 5 elections, he added.
He accused the government of misusing power in the name of democracy. Criticising the random arrest and harassment, he said an unelected government cannot arrest anyone in such a way and they have to be accountable for this.
Whatever is happening cannot be accepted and there is no rule of law in the country. Where there will be democracy, there should be respect for the opposition, he said adding that the ruling party cannot be above the law.
He said there is no kingdom system and great queen in the country. The 16 crore people are the owner of the country they have to carry out movement against the misrule of the country, he added.
We will stop the unjust from the country, we have to guard the polling centers and protect the rights of the votes, he added.
Mirza Alamgir, who is also the spokesperson of the Oikya Front, reiterated the demand for formation of the election-time neutral government and their demands have to implement for the sake of peoples interest.
He expressed his doubts whether the government has resorted farcical tactics in the name of dialogue saying that their leaders and activists were arrested for around the meeting even after the premier
assured them not to arrest them further.
He said about 25 lakh party leaders and activists were implicated in 4371 false cases across the country since September 1.
The BNP leader said they want a peaceful solution through dialogue but he warned about staging any dram in the name of dialogue.
“You have to leave power, dissolve parliament and form the poll-time government,” he said.
President of Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal ASM Abdur Rab said if the government does not hold a neutral election it would be most harmful for the nation as well as the government.
He called upon the government to accept their seven point demands and said they would hold start road march across the country and bring out procession toward the EC if their demands are not implemented.
The Jasad leader cautioned not to arrest anyone after today and release of arrested leaders or face a severe consequence.
President of Bangladesh Krishak Sramik Janata League Bangabir Kader Siddique said Khaleda Zia tuned into a symbol of democracy after she was sent to jail.
He accused the ruling party of first handing the national flags to rajakars not BNP.
Nagorik Oikya convenor Mahmudur Rahman Manna warned that if the government does not accepts their demands they would realize those by waging tougher movement in the streets.
He said there will be no fair election under Sheikh Hasina government and EC, keeping parliament in operation.
Referring to today’s dialogue with the government, he said this time the government has to give written commitment over their demands.
BNP leader Dr Gioyeshwar Chandra Roy criticized the ruling party for offering release of Khaleda on parole and said time has come for them to go to the grave with parole.
Dr Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Barrister Moudud Ahmed, Mirza Abbas, Barrister Jamiruddin Sircar, Barrister Rafiqul Islam, Abdul Moin Khan of BNP, Mostafa Mohsin Montu of Gano Forum, Suntan Mohammed Mansur and Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury, among others also addressed the meeting. – Staff Reporter
