Oikyafront wont boycott polls anyway: Dr Kamal
STAFF REPORTER, Dhaka
The BNP has decided to take part in the 11th parliamentary polls as part of the movement. Besides, the Jatiya Oikyafront will not be boycotting the elections. The judiciary, especially lower courts, is now running under the influence of the government and even BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia has been jailed illegally in a false case.
The Jatiya Oikyafronts top leader, Dr Kamal Hossain, and BNP secretary general, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, came up with these remarks while addressing a gathering of the Jatiya Ainjibi Oikyafront in the Supreme Court Ainjibi Samitis Shahid Shafiur Rahman auditorium yesterday (Saturday).
Whatever the government does, we wont boycott the elections, because the whole nation is now suffering as the previous polls were boycotted, Dr Kamal said.
Terming the Awami League (AL) led-grand alliance government as bluffer, Dr Kamal said: a gold medal should be given to this government for bluffing.
The government is conspiring to keep the BNP away from the election. The Election Commission is loyal to the government and acting in that fashion. A level playing field has not been ensured till now. We do not want to boycott the election. We like to take part in election with BNP chief Begum Khaleda Zia, Dr Kamal said.
The Jatiya Oikyafront has taken the national polls as a challenge and part of its movement to restore democracy in the country, said Fakhrul, who is also a spokesperson of the Jatiya Oikyafront.
When BNP leaders and activists have been barred from poll campaigning and sent to jail in mysterious cases. So, we have taken the polls as a challenge and the people should have to be united to defeat this monster government through elections, the BNP secretary general said.
There is very little time in our hands, he said, adding that the nation and its people will have to be saved by defeating this present government through ballots.
He urged the lawyers to be united and work for achieving victory.
The AL itself has given shelter to communal forces first. You took the title Qaumi Janani by sitting with whom, Fakhrul asked, referring to AL general secretary Obaidul Quader. The people know everything, he added.
The BNP leader said: You (lawyers) didnt say anything regarding former Chief Justice (CJ) SK Sinha. I am really disheartened. The government has forcibly ousted the former CJ from the country. Now he is living in exile abroad.
The BNP secretary general said the former
CJ was outspoken and wasnt afraid of expressing the truth even in his verdict. SK Sinha was the only Justice who protested and gave a correct verdict. The government ousted him for his judgment, he said
Many lawyers, including Barrister Mainul Hossein and Advocate Nipun Roy are being tortured by the government in false cases, he alleged.
At least 4,500 mysterious cases have so far been filed against BNP leaders and activists, Fakhrul said, adding that Dr Kamal approached the court, but they are yet to get any positive response.
How you will contest the polls? At least 400 mysterious cases have been filed even after announcement of the election schedule. We have to achieve victory by destroying the governments blueprint and conspiracy through ballots, the BNP leader said.
Criticising the Election Commissions role, Fakhrul said the EC wont be able to hold a fair and credible election, as it has failed to hold local government elections in a credible manner.
He warned the EC officials against trying to manipulate poll results. Instead, it should ensure a level playing field for all to hold a credible election.
Release Khaleda Zia from jail and withdraw all the false cases against Tarique Rahman, he demanded.
BNP standing committee member, Barrister Moudud Ahmad, said they too have a survey report regarding the polls.
Referring to the ALs claim of survey report, Moudud said: The ruling party has claimed that they conducted a survey regarding the national polls and they are ahead compared to the BNP. We want to say, we too have a survey report. The BNP will achieve victory if the polls are held in a free, fair, neutral and credible manner.
Among others, Supreme Court Ainjibi Samiti president Joinal Abedin, Barrister Zamir Uddin Sirkar, Khondaker Mahbub Hossain, Nitai Roy Chowdhury, Barrister AM Mahbub Uddin Khokon, Mir Nasir Uddin, MA Rakib, Subrata Chowdhury, Jaglul Haider Africk, Mohammad Shajahan, Taimur Alam Khondaker, Mojibur Rahman Sarwar, Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal and Advocate Sanaullah Miah spoke on the occasion.
