Noted jurist and Gono Forum president Dr Kamal Hossain unveiled on Saturday a new political alliance, Jatiya Oikya Front [National United Front].
Bangladesh Nationalist Party, ASM Abdur Rab-led Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal and Mahmudur Rahman Manna-led Nagorik Oikya are other components of the front.
However, Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh president AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury, one of the key leaders involved in the process of forging greater unity, was not present at the launch of the new alliance.
Instead, he arranged a separate press conference at his Baridhara residence at the same time.
Launching the new platform, Dr Kamal urged the people and groups imbued with the spirit of the liberation war to join in the fight to restore democracy.
He said it will work to bring back voting rights and establish a government of the people through a fair and participatory election.
"Let's take to the streets. It is the state of each and every individual. There are 150 million (actually 160 million) people. Don't be afraid of the cannons and ammunition of the security forces," he uttered.
Sharing his wartime experiences with Bangabandhu, Dr Kamal said he had seen how the father of the nation realised demand riding on the people's unity.
"In the same way, we have to keep faith in the national unity that is building against the autocratic government," he said.
The new alliance was formed as part of the ongoing national unity process to realise their seven-point demand and implement 11 objectives to make Bangladesh a democratic welfare state.
The demand includes unconditional release of jailed BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia and other political arrestees and formation of a poll-time government through a dialogue with other parties.
The newborn outfit asked the government to step down by dissolving parliament, reconstitute election commission with officials having credibility and scrap the decision to use electronic voting machines in the polls.
For a free and inclusive general election, it also demanded deployment of army with magistracy power for a period from 10 days prior to the polls to formation of a new government.
Besides, the front demanded suspension of all the cases against political leaders and not to file fresh ones against them ahead of the 11th parliamentary elections.
BNP standing committee member Dr Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain said Bangladesh passes through a critical phase when public life becomes difficult.
"The platform is very crucial in the current context of the country as people start seeing a ray of hope for a change," he added.
Terming the day historic for the nation, BNP standing committee member Barrister Moudud Ahmed said the new front will be a turning point for bringing back people's voting rights.
"One weapon can force the government to realise their demands. That's the national unity. Those who love the country and democracy should come up to join in the fight," he said categorically.
BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said people are in panic for arrests of political leaders and activists, forced disappearances and killings.
"This platform has created hope among them. We won't return home until our demands are met. I do believe freedom will come," he said.
At the event, Mahmudur Rahman Manna said, "A movement against the autocratic government has just begun with the formation of Jatiya Oikya Front."
Programmes and activities of the new platform will be announced gradually, he stated.
ASM Abdur Rab said, "The government may hatch a plot to ruin the movement but it won't let this happen."
Mentioning demands and goals of the new platform pressed by Mr Manna, he said, "Of course, we want to participate in the polls, but the government has to accept our demands for ensuring a level-playing field."
No party-centric regime will be allowed to assume in power against the will of people, Mr Rab added.
BNP standing committee member Barrister Mainul Hosein and Zafrullah Chowdhury of Gonoshasthaya Kendra, among others, also spoke.
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