Jatiya Oikyafront is all set to hold a grand rally at the historic Suhrawardy Udyan today, two days before the announcement of the election schedule.
The leaders of the recently floated united front of some opposition parties have taken all preparations to make today's gathering a success.
Bangabir Kader Siddique, chairman of Krishak Sramik Janata League, is expected to join the programme.
He briefed the media at his Motijheel party office on Monday, announcing his joining the newborn coalition.
"I joined Oikyafront to demand an acceptable election," Mr Siddique argued.
He said, "Dr Kamal will provide us legal aid and we, the rest, will fight for the betterment of the nation."
"The country's current fluid political situation is because of the Hasina administration. Nevertheless, we thank her for holding talks," he cited.
Mr Siddique, however, said the situation started to improve a bit since the start of political dialogues.
Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) president ASM Abdur Rab at the programme said Kader Siddique contributed a lot to forming Oikyafront.
The ongoing movement to restore democracy would get a boost following his joining the Oikyafront, he added.
Mr Rab called upon the government to fulfil the seven-point demand, including halting electronic voting machine use during election.
Gono Forum general secretary Mostofa Mohsin Montu and BNP leader Barkatullah Bulu thanked Mr Siddique for his joining the Oikyafront.
Mr Siddique at a discussion on Jail Killing Day on Saturday sought one day's time from Dr Kamal Hossain to decide on his alliance with Oikyafront.
He sat with a band of senior BNP leaders the same day and sought to make his position clear by Monday.
Formed on October 13, Oikyafront comprises Dr Kamal-led Gono Forum/Jatiya Oikya Prokriya, Rab-led JSD, Mahmudur Rahman Manna-led Nagorik Oikya and Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).
It placed a charter of demands like election under a neutral set-up after dissolution of parliament and release of BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia from jail.
BNP assistant organising secretary Advocate Abdus Salam Azad told the media that they got permission to hold the rally in the city.
Meanwhile, BNP, the key component of Oikyafront, called upon its members irrespective of rank-and-file to make the mammoth rally a huge success.
On Friday, BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi at a press briefing at the party's Nayapaltan headquarters called the programme for today.
The rally has been convened to press the government for realising their demands ahead of the polls.
The ruling Awami League (AL) and its 14-party combine sat in a dialogue with Oikyafront on November 01 at the Prime Minister's official residence Gonobhaban.
Oikyafront is holding another round of talks with the AL-led grand alliance tomorrow.
Earlier, Dr Kamal wrote to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina seeking her consent to sit again.
AL general secretary Obaidul Quader also hinted at the possibility of further consultation with Oikyafront leaders soon.
A senior BNP leader told the FE that they were preparing for a grand rally.
Mr Rizvi said they had a target to assemble hundreds of thousands of supporters and activists at the rally.
talhabinhabib@yahoo.com