Jatiya Oikya Front convener Dr Kamal Hossain has lauded Barrister Abdur Razzaq, who stepped down as Jamaat-e-Islami assistant secretary general, for calling the party to apologise for its role during the 1971 Liberation War.
His remarks came while speaking to the media on Tuesday (Feb 19) after a meeting of the political coalition’s policymaking Steering Committee.
“I welcome his call,” Kamal, who leads the political outfit Gano Forum, said before declining to comment further.
On Friday, Razzaq, who headed the legal battle to get top Jamaat leaders cleared of war crimes charges, cited the Islamist party’s failure to apologise for opposing Bangladesh’s independence and supporting Pakistan during the war for his resignation.
He also cited failure to reform party charter in the letter sent from the UK.
After Wednesday’s meeting, the Oikya Front announced that it has rescheduled its public hearing over 11th National Election to Feb 22 from Feb 24.
Kamal said that the event was rescheduled as no venues were available for the 24th.
The coalition said earlier that it will invite all the political parties, except those who are in the Awami League-led Grand Alliance, who participated in the election to join the public hearing.
Asked whether Jamaat — a long-time ally of the largest Oikya Front member BNP — will be invited, Kamal said, “I have no knowledge on this matter.”
ASM Abdur Rab, whose Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal is a member of the coalition, cut in to say, “All Oikya Front candidates will be invited. Neither I nor Kamal Hossain will entertain any other queries on this issue.”
Responding to a query on inviting the Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Rab, however, said they were yet to decide before adding all Oikya Front allies, Left parties and any other party who contested the polls will be invited to join the public hearing.