Jatiya Oikyafront leader Dr Kamal Hossain yesterday expressed “sincere regret” for his sharp reaction to some reporters' queries regarding the combine's position on Jamaat-e-Islami.

"If my words hurt or embarrassed anyone in anyway, I sincerely regret that," he said in a statement.

On Friday morning, Kamal, along with other leaders of the opposition alliance, paid homage to the martyred intellectuals at the Martyred Intellectuals Memorial in the capital's Mirpur.

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Oikyafront wants the president's intervention

When asked by a reporter about the participation of some Jamaat leaders in the December 30 polls despite the cancellation of the party's registration, he apparently lost his temper.

"How much have you been paid to ask these questions? Who pays you to ask such a political question at such a place?” he asked the enquirer.

When the question was repeated, Kamal asked the reporter to “shut up”.

In the statement, Kamal explained, “Standing at the altar of the memorial, I was talking about how we achieved our independence after losing so many meritorious sons. That is when I was suddenly asked about Jamaat's position in the Jatiya Oikyafront.”

Kamal said he initially responded humbly by saying he didn't want to make a comment on the issue at that moment and repeated this answer the second time he was asked the same question.

"But when I heard the word 'Jamaat' for the third time from the crowd, I felt very bad and tried to stop the enquirer," his statement read.

"All my life I have spoken for the freedom of the press and the rights of journalists," he added.

Action will be taken against those misusing the digital security act, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said today.

He also said the home ministry will remain careful so that the law is not being misused.

Quader, also general secretary of Awami League, was addressing reporters at a briefing at his official residence, said a press release.

As the shopping malls and markets reopened on a limited scale, he urged everyone to maintain distancing and follow health guidelines while shopping.

He said mass allegations of rice theft against public representatives was not true, mentioning there are 61,569 public representatives at different levels in the country.

"Action has been taken against those who are guilty regardless of their political background. Gross allegations of relief embezzlement is not true," he added.

The road transport and bridges minister said following directives from the prime minister, so far, cash and relief goods have been distributed among four crore people across the country.

Bangladesh Nationalist Front President SM Abul Kalam Azad today said that the national election will not be free and fair under this Election Commission.

"Our supporters, voters, activists are feeling insecure," Azad, who is contesting from Dhaka-17, was speaking to reporters after a meeting at the commission.

Azad is currently a lawmaker of the current parliament and his party BNF is also a component of the Awami League-led ruling 14-party alliance.

"Our constitution says an election will be held under the Election Commission. But, we don't see it. It is heavily influenced by the ruling party," he said.

Speaking after meeting Election Commission Secretary Helaluddin Ahmed, he claimed 55 BNF candidates were attacked by Awami League and Oikyafront men.

"We want to stay in the election till the last day, but it should be held under a neutral Election Commission," he said.

Citing that the country is being “ruled in an oppressive” manner, Dr Kamal Hossain, a key leader of the opposition alliance Jatiya Oikyafront, today urged all to unite to rid the country of such a rule.

“It is not acceptable to us that the country is under an oppressive rule. We will all unite to fight against it,” said Dr Kamal, also president of Gonoforum.

He came up with the remarks while talking to reporters after paying tributes to the martyrs of the Liberation War in 1971 by placing wreaths at the National Memorial in Savar this morning on the occasion of the 48th Victory Day of the country today.

Photo: Mohammad Al-Masum Molla

Kamal also said people earned the independence of the country through unity and they will have to form unity to protect the independence.

BNP leader Nazrul Islam Khan, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) President ASM Abdur Rob and other leaders of Jatiya Oikyafront were present at that time.  

Earlier, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir along with party leaders and activists also placed wreaths at the National Memorial to pay homage to the Liberation War martyrs.

WHY DR KAMAL SEEKS APPOINTMENT WITH PRESIDENT ?

Jatiya Oikyafront leader Dr Kamal Hossain has sought an appointment with President Abdul Hamid on December 17.

A 10-member delegation, led by Kamal Hossain, will meet the president if they get the appointment.

Dr Kamal may discuss the “ongoing mass arrest and harassment of the alliance leaders and activists” with the president.

The delegation will also seek the president’s intervention in holding the upcoming national election in a free, fair and credible manner.

WHAT ARE THE ALLEGATIONS AGAINST GOVERNMENT?

BNP and Jatiya Oikyafront have been blaming the government for carrying out mass arrest and harassment of their contenders, leaders and activists deliberately across the country ahead of the December 30 general election.

After announcement of the election schedule, BNP has been lodging complaints with the Election Commission (EC) seeking its step to stop the ongoing arrests and harassment for creating a level-playing field to hold the 11th parliamentary election in a credible manner.

WHO ARE THE TOP LEADERS WHO HAVE COME UNDER ATTACK?

On December 14, Jatiya Oikyafront key leader Dr Kamal Hossain’s motorcade came under attack near Martyred Intellectuals Memorial at Mirpur while he was returning after paying tribute, leaving at least 25 to 30 people injured.

On December 11, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam’s motorcade also came under attack, allegedly by AL men, in Thakurgaon’s Danarhat village during his election campaign.

At least 10 people were hurt and four vehicles were also vandalised in the attack, according to BNP.

On December 15, BNP leader Mirza Abbas reportedly came under attack when he was electioneering near Shegunbagicha area of Dhaka. Seven to eight BNP activists were wounded in the attack.

WHAT IS JATIYA OIKYAFRONT?

The Jatiya Oikyafront is an alliance of the BNP, Dr Kamal Hossain-led Jatiya Oikya Prokriya, ASM Abdur Rob's Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal, and Mahmudur Rahman Manna's Nagorik Oikya.

The Oikyafront was formed on October 13 with the demands of a national election under a neutral government after dissolution of parliament and release of BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia from jail.

WHAT ARE OIKYAFRONT’S DEMANDS?

The 11-point goal announced by the alliance includes ensuring checks and balances in the state power, decentralisation of administration, freeing MPs from the stringent restrictions imposed on them under article 70 of the constitution, formation of a constitutional commission to make appointments to all constitutional and other important posts and full independence of the judiciary.

The alliance also announced a seven-point demand, including the one for holding the next parliamentary election under a nonpartisan government, dissolution of parliament before the polls and reconstitution of the Election Commission.

Bangladesh Bank has suspended all kind of mobile-based financial services (MFS) for temporary basis ahead of the December 30 national election.

All MFS providers have been asked to keep mobile-based financial services suspended from 5:00pm on December 28 to 5:00pm on December 30, the central bank said in a circular today.

However, MFS can allow the individual transaction through mobile account at limited scale up to Tk 5,000 from 5:00pm on December 29 to 5:00pm on December 30, according to the circular.

The decision was taken following the instruction given by the Election Commission, said the circular.