Dhaka, Jan 26 (UNB) – Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has invited Jatiya Oikyafront senior leaders to exchange greetings at Ganobhaban over tea on February 2.
Separate invitation cards were sent to all the steering committee members of the alliance from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) on Saturday.
“You’re invited to exchange greetings over tea at Ganobhaban at 3:30pm on February 2,” reads an invitation card sent to Gono Forum executive president Subrata Chowdhury.
Contacted, Subrata Chowdhury said they received the invitation cards sent to their party office in the morning.
Gono Forum training affairs secretary Rafiqul Islam Pathik said two staff of the PMO came to their office around 11am and handed over the invitation cards for all the Oikyafront steering committee members, including Dr Kamal Hossain, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Moudud Ahmed, ASM Abdur Rob, Subrata Chowdhury, Mostafa Mohsin Montu and Mahmudur Rahman Manna.
Asked whether they will go to Ganobhaban, Subrata Chowdhury replied in the negative. “I personally think we should not respond to such an invitation to take tea at Ganobhaban. I also find no reason to accept the invitation.”
He, however, said they will take the final decision after discussions with the alliance leaders once Dr Kamal Hossain returns home from abroad.
Oikyafront Convener Dr Kamal Hossain went to Singapore on January 19 for medical purposes, and he is scheduled to return home on Sunday night.
On January 13, Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina would hold fresh dialogues with the political parties that joined talks at Ganobhaban before the December-30 election.
Later, he said the Prime Minister would invite the political parties only to exchange greetings and take tea.
The Prime Minister had talks with 75 political parties before the 11th parliamentary elections.
Jatiya Oikyafront top leaders, led by Dr Kamal Hossain, sat twice with the Prime Minister on November 1 and November 7 last at Ganobhaban.
Oikyafront was formed on November 13 comprising BNP, Gono Forum, JSD (ROB) and Nagorik Oikya. Later, Abdul Kader Siddique-led Krishak Sramik Janata League also joined the alliance.
Awami League, led by Sheikh Hasina, formed the government for the third consecutive term following its landslide victory in the December-30 election.
Turning down the election results bringing the allegation of ‘massive vote robbery’, Oikyafront demanded reelection.
Eight MPs of the alliance elected in the election have not taken oath yet.
