Opposition alliance Jatiya Oikya Front is gearing up to be more active in the political arena, announcing three goals for the future on the occasion of its first founding anniversary on Sunday (Oct 13).
The alliance led by veteran politician Gano Forum chief Dr Kamal Hossain plans to revive its activities with ‘meaningful movement,’ ‘mass programmes’ and expanding its scope.
Although leaders and activists are working towards the goal, some are of the view that under the current circumstances, it’s a big challenge to remain active through political programmes and they are largely relying on the BNP to overcome it.
They are also planning massive programs and movements by convening anti-government political parties in December of this year.
Oikya Front contested the Dec 31 national polls with BNP as its largest ally only to face a massive defeat against the ruling Awami League.
Although they boycotted the polls and the alliance’s lawmakers (two from Gano Forum, six from BNP) refused to go to Parliament, Sultan Mohammad Mansur took oath.
He was banished from both Gano Forum and the alliance but the first signs of dissatisfaction came during Dr Kamal Hossain’s silence on another of his party lawmaker Mokanbbir Hossain taking oath, disregarding the alliances decision.
The rift further deepened when the BNP lawmakers, with the exception of Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir took oath.
Amid the ongoing dissatisfaction and the front’s inactivity, Krishak Sramik Janata League chief Kader Siddique left the alliance.
Oikya Front Steering Committee member and JSD chief ASM Abdur Rab said that the rifts created within the allies regarding the polls are on the mend.
He added that on Saturday (Oct 12) a meeting was held on how to make the alliance more active and in addition to the programmes on Sunday, they were planning to visit slain BUET student Abarar Fahad’s grave on Oct 18 and a mourning rally on Oct 22.
Gano Forum Executive President Subrata Chowdhury said that they have reached out to the anti-government parties who are already active in the political field.
“We are planning bigger programs with them,” he said and added that the alliance will wage massive movement in December.
Several activists and leaders said that there have been many conspiracies to render the alliance weak as the allies have moved away due to the rifts.
Oikya Front ally and Nagorik Oikkya convener, Mahmudur Rahman Manna said, “We are still fighting for the goals we announced.”
He added that they were starting again and were planning more “meaningful programs.”
Following the rift and disagreements two leaders of BNP’s policymaking forum National Standing Committee Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain and Moudud Ahmed stopped attending the alliance’s meetings.
However, another member of the committee Nazrul Islam Khan said, “There is no distance between Oikya Front and BNP. The activities are going on and programmes will be announced in due time.”
Oikya Front was launched on Oct 13, 2018 as an opposition alliance at the National Press Club before the Dec 30 polls.
The BNP being its biggest ally, the alliance moved forward with 11-goals and seven-point demands that included the release of former prime minister Khaleda Zia and elections under an impartial regime.
