JOF calls for greater unity to oust government

Jatiya Oikya Front observed Sunday as ‘black day’ with the call of forging greater unity for launching massive movement to oust the present government.

JOF, formed ahead of the December 30, 2018 national elections, marked the day, a day before the first anniversary of the national elections, as they alleged that the ruling Awami League had rigged the elections by stuffing ballot boxes at the night before the elections.

A number of opposition political parties, including Bangladesh Nationalist Party, Gono Forum, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal-JSD, Krishak Sramik Janata League and Nagarik Oikya, as well as eminent citizens formed JOF under the leadership of Gono Forum president Kamal Hossain.

Denouncing the December 30, 2018 general elections that witnessed widespread rigging, violence and ousting of opposition candidates’ polling agents from polling centres, JOF leaders in a rally in front of the National Press Club in Dhaka alleged that the ruling AL government had destroyed the spirit of the war of independence and betrayed the freedom fighters and martyrs.

Addressing the rally as the chair, JOF senior leader and JSD president ASM Abdur Rob said that this government should be brought to justice by ousting them and establishing the government of people keeping up the spirit of independence war.

‘The government robbed people’s right to vote at the night prior to the election day. It is unprecedented in the history of world,’ he said.

BNP standing committee member Abdul Moyeen Khan, referring to different newspapers published after the 11th national elections, said that the international media termed the election an ‘obituary of a democracy’ and, through the election, the AL government had initiated a different version of oneparty Bangladesh Krishok Sramik Awami League rule.

Alleging that the government had remained in power forcibly, he said that tough movement would be launched to oust the government, initiate ‘people’s government’ by freeing multi-party democracy and BNP chairperson and former prime minister Khaleda Zia who was the symbol of democracy.

He demanded a new election under a neutral government and election commission.

Nagarik Oikya convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna said that the AL had a vital role in achieving the country’s liberation war and the party had been bearing the worst scandalous taint by snatching people’s voting rights, killing students and workers.

He alleged that the AL had cheated the people.

Gonoshasthaya Kendra founder Zafrullah Chowdhury suggested BNP, the main component of JOF, not to wait for any miracle but to take to the streets to oust the government.

Bikalpadhara Bangladesh faction president Nurul Amin Byapari, Gono Forum executive president Abu Sayeed and advisers to the BNP chairperson Abdus Salam and Habibur Rahman Habib, among others, also spoke.

Later, the protesters brought out a procession from the rally ground but police thwarted it after they advanced a few yards towards Kadam Foara.

News Courtesy: www.newagebd.net