Nagorik Oikkya convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna said on Monday that they will not give any 'walkover' to the government this time (to win uncontested) in the upcoming general election.
Speaking as the chief guest at a discussion, he said many people started saying what Juktofront (united front) will do, if the government announces poll schedule, will it concentrate on election or continue its fight for a democratic welfare state.
"Our message is clear. If election schedule is announced, we will accept it alongside continuing our anti-government movement. We'll not give walkover to the government this time. We'll contest in the election," he said.
In the programme held at National Press Club, two political parties - Sonar Bangla Party and Bangladesh Jonodal - officially joined in the Juktofront as part of its national unity plan.
He said people start expressing their anger and dissatisfaction following misrules of the most repressive government, which will lead to a mass movement against it.
He was critical over the countrywide development fair, saying that the Ayub Khan government did the same thing during his tenure.
"The result was his (Ayub) government toppled within three months of such fair due to people's protest. The misrule of the present government is indicating the same," he said.
Raising question over measurement of development, he said is GDP (gross domestic product) the only indicator to measure development?
"Then why the finance minister talked about jobless growth. Some 45 million people are still unemployed. Is it a development in real term?"
Talking about the national unity, he said the unity will help bring back people's voting and democratic rights.
"It is not just for the upcoming election. We want to convert the country into a democratic welfare state where there will be no inequality," he added.
Abdul Malek Ratan, General Secretary of Jatya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD), among others, spoke at the discussion.
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