The newly formed political alliance Jatiya Oikya Front wants to mobilize public support by holding public rallies in every divisional city of the country.
The first rally will begin in Sylhet tomorrow, where leaders from the parties of Oikya Front and from the 20-party alliance led by BNP (except Jamaat) are expected to join.
The platform will then stage rallies in Rajshahi, Chittagong, Rangpur and Khulna towns to reach out to voters ahead of the 11th parliamentary election.
“Rallies are the most convenient and rapid way to reach people,” a leader of the platform said. “It also helps to place demands in front of public that will help spread the movement in a planned way.”
Also Read- Oikya Front seek permission to hold rally in Rajshahi
Jatiya Oikya Front was formed by eminent jurist Dr Kamal Hossain on October 13 with a goal of “restoring democracy” and ensuring free and fair voting in the 11th general election.
It comprises Dr Kamal’s Gono Forum in partnership with BNP, ASM Abdur Rab-led Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) and Mahmudur Rahman Manna-led Nagorik Oikya.
“There is no alternative to participatory election to forming a legitimate government,” Dr Kamal Hossain said.
“The coalition will work as a turning point to restore voting rights of people. We have taken up several programs to mobilize public response in the country.”
Strategies
The planned ralles form part of a broader push by the new alliance, which includes meeting diplomats, envoys and journalists.
The platform - which is also being referred to as “The Unity” - has already held a meeting with diplomats stationed in Dhaka on Thursday and briefed them on their stance on the next general election based on their demands and goals.
“The unity is now in a shape and there is needs to extend its voice and message among people across the country,” Nagorik Oikya Convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna said.
“To realize the target, we need to move from one place to another. Also, we are holding meetings with foreign diplomats. Meeting frequently with journalists is also in the plan.”
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said Jatiya Oikya Front will act to augment the hopes of the people.
“We have started the movement to free the masses and the nation from the prevailing crisis,” he said. “As a very short time is remaining before the election, I urge every party to join us to help achieve the rights of the people together.”
The founder of Gonoshasthaya Kendra, Zafrullah Chowdhury was another to join the rallying call.
“Now is the right time to spread the movement across Bangladesh to make sensible use of precious time,” he said. “We will continue our movement and will not leave the streets even though we are obstructed.”
Demands
Senior leaders of Jatiya Oikya Front said they will continue their program until their seven demands have been met.
The seven demands include the formation of a non-partisan government and the dissolution of parliament before the holding of a fair election, the release of all political prisoners, and the withdrawal of false cases filed against opposition leaders and activists, students and journalists.
Their demands also include reform of the Election Commission with qualified personnel, no use of electronic voting machines (EVMs) in the next election, and the deployment of army personnel with magistracy powers 10 days before the national polls.