Krishak Sramik Janata League quits Jatiya Oikyafront

Bangabir Kader Siddique-led Krishak Sramik Janata League (KSJL) yesterday left the Jatiya Oikyafront barely seven months after the formation of the opposition alliance. Kader came up with the formal announcement of leaving the Oikyafront at a press conference, held at the Jatiya Press Club, two months after he made an ultimatum to remove inconsistencies in the alliance.

“There is indeed no visible existence of the Jatiya Oikyafront following the national election. It has failed to focus on any national problem after the December 30 parliamentary poll,” he said.

“Dr Kamal Hossain is reluctant to lead Oikyafront. The alliance that couldn’t stand beside people in times of need is no more required,” he added. The KSJL leader said his party would start a new journey and work for the people. “After the 11th parliamentary election, the Jatiya has Oikyafront failed to exist in the country’s politics. So, I will begin a new journey to serve the people,” he said.

He also said his party would work for the unity of political parties to start a mass movement across the country against the government’s failures.

On Saturday, the decision to quit the Oikyafront was taken at an extended meeting of the central committee of the party at its central office in Motijheel.

The Jatiya Oikyafront, comprising the BNP, Dr Kamal Hossain-led Ganaforum, ASM Abdur Rab-led Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal and Mahmudur Rahman Manna-led Nagorik Oikya, was formed on October 13, months before the parliamentary polls.

The KSJL formally joined the Oikyafront on November 5 last year, aiming to ensure an acceptable national election in the country.

Iqbal Siddiqee, joint general secretary of KSJL, read out a written speech at the press conference. Party general secretary Habibur Rahman Talukder and central leaders Nasreen Siddique, Shafiqqur Rahman  Delwar, Kuri Siddique were also present.

On May 9, veteran freedom fighter Kader Siddique had given the ultimatum to quit the Jatiya Oikyafront after protesting against the oath-taking of seven leaders of the Oikyafront in violation of the alliance’s decision to boycott Parliament. He had also warned of staying away from the alliance if all the inconsistencies of the alliance are not removed.

The last meeting of Oikyafront was held at JSD president ASM Rab’s Uttara residence on June 10, where top leaders sought time from Kader Siddique, promising to resolve the issue soon. The meeting was adjourned, but no further meeting of the Oikyafront was held in the meantime.

Kader Siddique’s ultimatum came as BNP and Ganoforum lawmakers-elect joined Parliament in violation of the alliance’s decision of not taking oath and joining the Jatiya Sangsad. The KSJL also questioned the silence of the alliance and failure to take up any programme after the poll.

The Oikyafront alleged that the election was manipulated and it managed to win only eight seats—the BNP got six and Ganaforum got two—in the 300 constituencies that went to polls.

When contacted, BNP standing committee member Dr Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain declined to make any comments on the KSJL’s decision. “I don’t want to make any comment. It took the decision on its own,” he said.

Nagorik Oikya convenor Mahmudur Rahman Manna expressed regret over the KSJL’ decision, saying there are valid points in that party’s arguments.

Krishak Sramik Janata League quits Jatiya Oikyafront

Bangabir Kader Siddique-led Krishak Sramik Janata League (KSJL) yesterday left the Jatiya Oikyafront barely seven months after the formation of the opposition alliance. Kader came up with the formal announcement of leaving the Oikyafront at a press conference, held at the Jatiya Press Club, two months after he made an ultimatum to remove inconsistencies in the alliance. There is indeed no visible existence of the Jatiya Oikyafront following the national election. It has failed to focus on any national problem after the December 30 parliamentary poll, he said. Dr Kamal Hossain is reluctant to lead Oikyafront. The alliance that couldnt stand beside people in times of need is no more required, he added. The KSJL leader said his party would start a new journey and work for the people. After the 11th parliamentary election, the Jatiya has Oikyafront failed to exist in the countrys politics. So, I will begin a new journey to serve the people, he said. He also said his party would work for the unity of political parties to start a mass movement across the country against the governments failures. On Saturday, the decision to quit the Oikyafront was taken at an extended meeting of the central committee of the party at its central office in Motijheel. The Jatiya Oikyafront, comprising the BNP, Dr Kamal Hossain-led Ganaforum, ASM Abdur Rab-led Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal and Mahmudur Rahman Manna-led Nagorik Oikya, was formed on October 13, months before the parliamentary polls. The KSJL formally joined the Oikyafront on November 5 last year, aiming to ensure an acceptable national election in the country. Iqbal Siddiqee, joint general secretary of KSJL, read out a written speech at the press conference. Party general secretary Habibur Rahman Talukder and central leaders Nasreen Siddique, Shafiqqur Rahman Delwar, Kuri Siddique were also present. On May 9, veteran freedom fighter Kader Siddique had given the ultimatum to quit the Jatiya Oikyafront after protesting against the oath-taking of seven leaders of the Oikyafront in violation of the alliances decision to boycott Parliament. He had also warned of staying away from the alliance if all the inconsistencies of the alliance are not removed. The last meeting of Oikyafront was held at JSD president ASM Rabs Uttara residence on June 10, where top leaders sought time from Kader Siddique, promising to resolve the issue soon. The meeting was adjourned, but no further meeting of the Oikyafront was held in the meantime. Kader Siddiques ultimatum came as BNP and Ganoforum lawmakers-elect joined Parliament in violation of the alliances decision of not taking oath and joining the Jatiya Sangsad. The KSJL also questioned the silence of the alliance and failure to take up any programme after the poll. The Oikyafront alleged that the election was manipulated and it managed to win only eight seatsthe BNP got six and Ganaforum got twoin the 300 constituencies that went to polls. When contacted, BNP standing committee member Dr Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain declined to make any comments on the KSJLs decision. I dont want to make any comment. It took the decision on its own, he said. Nagorik Oikya convenor Mahmudur Rahman Manna expressed regret over the KSJL decision, saying there are valid points in that partys arguments.