The Jatiya Oikyafront, in which the BNP is a major partner, yesterday briefed foreign diplomats, based in Dhaka, about different issues. These included latest developments in the political arena, state of BNP's jailed chairperson Khaleda Zia, and corruption. Oikyafront leaders, led by Ganaforum president Dr Kamal Hossain, also briefed them about Oikyafront’s steering committee member barrister Mainul Hosein being sent to prison by cancelling his bail, false cases filed against opposition leaders and indulgence of corruption in the country.

The Oikyafront, which had become an inactive political platform following the December 30 parliamentary elections, was seen to have become active suddenly. The meeting with diplomats was held at BNP standing committee member Dr Abdul Moin Khan’s Gulshan residence.

Meeting sources said while some diplomats wanted to know about the next course of action of the Oikyafront, the BNP leaders informed them that they would be busy with its organisational activities till December. Senior leaders of the Oikyafront, including BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, another standing committee member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, president of the Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal ASM Abdur Rab, convenor of Nagorik Oikya Mahmudur Rahman Manna, and executive president of Ganaforum advocate Subrata Chowdhury, joined the meeting. Briefing reporters, Dr Kamal Hossain said the foreign diplomats wanted to know about the prevailing situation in the country.

“The foreign diplomats heard our views,” he said. The veteran jurist said everyone knows what kind of elections had taken place in the country. Ambassadors and high commissioners and representatives from different countries, including the US, UK and the European Union, were present at the two-hour meeting that began at 10:30am.

Nagorik Oikya convenor Mahmudur Rahman Manna said it was a courtesy meeting. The diplomats had earlier expressed their willingness to meet on a regular basis.

“They wanted to know about the overall situation in the country,” he said, adding that such meetings with diplomats will be held from time to time.

Ganaforum executive president Subrata Chowdhury said it was an informal meeting over tea. “The diplomats heard our views. But they did not make any comment,” he added.

JSD president ASM Rab said it was a meeting with diplomats over tea. “You (journalists) can say that we exchanged views with them,” he added.

The Jatiya Oikyafront was formed months ahead of the last general election and took part in the December 30 polls unitedly, but fared rather poorly.

The Oikyafront termed the elections “largely manipulated by the Awami League-led government”.