After forming a liaison committee, the new anti-government alliance is now mulling for a high-level panel of top leaders of the allies.
After the BNP, Gano Forum chief Dr Kamal Hossain-led Jatiya Oikya Prokriya, Mahmudur Rahman Manna’s Naogorik Oikya and ASM Adbur Rab’s Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) launched the Jatiya Oikto Front last week, the new coalition held two meetings.
The second meeting was held at BNP chief’s Gulshan offices on Wednesday when it was announced that a liaison panel was formed and rallies have been scheduled later this month.
According to people familiar with Wednesday meeting’s agendas, the coalition leaders have agreed on forming a high-level panel to decide on policies and strategies to be implemented by the liaison committee.
The BNP will be represented by either it General Secretary Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir or National Standing Committee members Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain and Moudud Ahmad in the high-level committee, sources said.
It has been agreed the panel will consist of Dr Kamal Hossain, JSD chief Rab, Nagorik Oikya leader Manna, former DUCSU leader Sultan Mansur, Gonoshasthyo Kenrda founder Zafrullah Chowdhury and Barrister Mainul Hosein, according to them.
Gano Forum, however, said at Wednesday’s meeting that its chief Kamal Hossain is reluctant over sitting on the committee citing his physical condition due to old age complicacies.
But allies insist that he be on the committee and said that if necessary, the panel will meet at his residence or Motijheel offices.
After Wednesday’s meeting, following the first meeting the previous day at Rab’s residence, it was announced that the alliance will hold rallies in Chattogram and Rajshahi on Oct 27 and 30.
“Our programmes will be launched on Oct 23 from Sylhet, when the leaders will offer prayers at the shrines of Shahjalal, Shah Paran,” said Hossain, a member of the BNP’s policymaking National Standing Committee.
The coalition has also secured authorities’ clearance to hold a rally at northeastern city the same day, Shairul Kabir Khan, a member of BNP chief’s media wing confirmed late on Wednesday.
A leader of the Oikya Front said after they plan to hold a road march after the rallies in three divisional cities.
“It will enable us to get our message to the people clearly. We expect to have a road march in the second phase,” the leader told Bangla Tribune, but asked not to be named.
On Thursday (Oct 18), Oikya Front leaders will brief Dhaka-based diplomats on the current political situation and the new coalition’s mission and vision. Gano Fourm chief Kamal Hossain will lead it, according to people familiar with the matter.