Oikyafront slammed for failing to launch movement

Leaders of different social and political platforms at a discussion yesterday slammed Jatiya Oikyafront for failing to launch any movement against the government.

They said the platform’s leading party, BNP, has neglected to give instructions on carrying the movement forward, although six months have already passed after a “farcical” election was held on December 30 last year.

They were speaking at a discussion marking the 7th founding anniversary of Nagorik Oikya, at Shaheed Shafiur Rahman Auditorium of Bangladesh Supreme Court.

In his speech, Nagorik Oikya Convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna said that his party joined Jatiya Oikyafront to launch a collaborative movement for establishing people’s right to vote, but his dream is yet to be fulfilled. 

“There was no election on December 30, so why did he [BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir] say that polls was going well in the morning of the election?” he asked.

He also criticised BNP leaders for not calling any protests, not even a five-day hartal from election day.

He stressed on a proper guideline by a strong political platform to encourage citizens for initiating a united movement to halt this “illegal government”.

M Hafizuddin Khan, former adviser to the caretaker government and president of Shushashoner Jonno Nagorik (Shujan), said, “It was shameful that neither BNP nor other opposition parties took to the street to protest this forgery.”

Gonoshasthaya Kendra founder Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury said the government is undertaking different mega projects only to create opportunities for “mega corruption”.

“Disparity between the poor and rich are increasing day by day for not introducing a pro-poor budget” he claimed.

Among others, Gonoforum’s executive presidents Subrata Chowdhury and Abu Sayeed, Nagorik Oikya Advisor SM Akram and Central Member Momenul Islam also spoke.