Leaders of Jatiya Oikyafront asked the government on Wednesday for holding a meaningful national dialogue in the greater interest of people.
They also reiterated their seven-point demand for ensuring people's voting rights in a participatory election under an election-time government. They reiterated the demands ahead of today's dialogue between the Oikyafront and the ruling Awami League chief Sheikh Hasina at Ganobhaban.
They said these at a discussion marking the 46th founding anniversary of Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) at National Press Club in the capital.
JSD President A S M Abdur Rab presided over the discussion.
President of Gono Forum and senior leader of Jaitya Oikyafront Dr Kamal Hossain was the chief guest of the programme.
He said, "The dialogue must be held for the interest of people for establishing their voting and others rights. Not for any party interest."
Dr Kamal noted that people are now untied with Oikyafront for establishing their basic fundamental rights.
He also said Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman signed the Constitution, which states that people are the owner of the country.
The eminent jurist alleged that Awami League is now ruling the country on the basis of partisan views.
"I call upon all of you (leaders and activists), please be united and go to villages for mobilising people for holding a free, fair, credible, transparent and participatory election for their interests," he added.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakrul Islam Alamgir said, "People don't have their voting rights. Their voting and other rights must be restored."
He opined that all demands (ensuring people's voting rights, establishing rule of law, and getting a corruption-free society etc) must be met through dialogue.
He demanded immediate release of all political leaders, including BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia.
BNP Standing Committee Member Barrister Moudud Ahmed said the Oikyafront leaders along with people will continue their movements for realising the demands.
Founder of Gonoshasthaya Kendra Dr Jafrullah Chowdhury called upon all to remain united for realising the seven-point demands.
Convenor of Nagorik Oikya Mahmudur Rahman Manna called upon the government not to create any situation that hampers the national dialogue.
A S M Abdur Rab urged the government not to put any pre-condition for holding the national dialogue.
He warned the government not to think of coming back to power again through election engineering, using electronic voting machines (EVMs).
Mr Rab said the constitution is for people, and people are not for the constitution.
The government can resolve any problem, if it wishes, for the interest of people, he added.
Gono Forum leader Mostafa Mohsin Montu and other leaders of Oikyafront and JSD were also present on the occasion.
BSS adds: Awami League (AL) President and Prime Minister (PM)
Sheikh Hasina will lead a 20-member team of 14-party alliance in the dialogue with Dr Kamal Hossain-led Jatiya Oikyafront at PM's official residence Gonobhaban today (Thursday).
The members of AL-led 14-party delegation are -- AL General
Secretary Obaidul Quader, advisers Amir Hossain Amu and Tofail Ahmed, presidium members Begum Matia Chowdhury, Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim, Mohammad Nasim and Kazi Zafar Ullah, Sammayabadi Dal General Secretary Dilip Barua, Workers Party of Bangladesh President Rashed Khan Menon, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) President Hasanul Huq Inu, JSD-faction leader Mainul Khan Badol, Advocate Anisul Huq, AL presidium members Dr Md Abdur Razzak and Ramesh Chandra Sen, joint-secretaries Mahbubul Alam Hanif, Dr Dipu Moni and Abdur Rahman, Office Secretary Dr. Abdus Sobhan Golap, Publicity and Publication Secretary Hasan Mahmud, and Legal Affairs Secretary Advocate S M Rezaul Karim.
Responding to Oikyafront's call for dialogue over the next national election, Sheikh Hasina formally invited the alliance to take part in talks with the ruling alliance at Gonobhaban at 7.00 pm today.
The issue of the dialogue surfaced when Dr Kamal, president of Gono Forum wrote to the PM on October 28 for holding a dialogue.
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