Ex-AL leader Prof Abu Sayeed joins Oikya Front

Former Awami League leader Prof Abu Sayeed joined the Kamal Hossain-led Gono Forum ahead of the 11th parliamentary election, reports bdnews24.com.

He joined the party and the opposition Jatiya Oikya Front alliance after meeting with Gono Forum General Secretary Mostafa Mohsin Montu on Monday.

"He joined the Gono Forum only a little while ago," Montu told the news agency. "He may become the Jatiya Oikya Front candidate for the Pabna-1 (Sathia-Bera) seat in the 11th parliamentary election."

Abu Sayeed has received the Oikya Front's nomination and has left for the constituency, said Montu.

The former Awami League leader may now under the paddy sheaf symbol. The Gono Forum and the rest of the Oikya Front have decided to adopt the BNP's symbol for the polls.

Abu Sayeed was the Awami League's state minister for information for five years starting in 1996.

Sayeed was a member of the then Pakistan National Assembly in 1970 and was part of the committee formed to draft Bangladesh's constitution.