No one believes that BNP and Jatiya Oikyafront can do anything after they were defeated both in their movement and the election, Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader said today.

Quader made the remarks in reply to queries by journalists at the ferry terminal in Louhajang upazila of Munshiganj.

The ministers of the new government on their way to Tungipara in Gopalganj on January 9, 2019. Photo: Star

The ministers of the new government were on their way to Tungipara in Gopalganj to pay homage to the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu.

“The opposition could not even wage a movement for ten minutes in the last ten years, what will they do now?” Quader questioned.

The ministers, along with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina later paid homage to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in Gopalganj’s Tungipara on the occasion of installation of her government for the third consecutive term.

Awami League President Sheikh Hasina took oath as the prime minister for the fourth time, the third in a row, heading a 47-member council of ministers on Monday, a week after the Awami League-led grand alliance’s landslide victory in the 11th parliamentary election held on December 30.

The new cabinet comprising 24 ministers, 19 state ministers and three deputy ministers took oath at a state ceremony at Bangabhaban Darbar Hall on Monday afternoon.

President M Abdul Hamid administered the oath of office and oath of secrecy to Sheikh Hasina and members of her council of ministers.

Jatiya Oikyafront Convener Dr Kamal Hossain yesterday said the alliance is fully united.

He, however, did not say whether his party's (Gonoforum's) two MPs-elect will join parliament.

"Our Jatiya Oikyafront is cent percent united. Our unity is forged with the country's 16 crore people," he said.

He came up with the remarks while addressing a preparatory meeting of the Gonoforum for its 5th national council at the party's Arambagh central office.

"I visited many places and found our alliance's unity intact and it'll be consolidated in the days to come."

The Oikyafront chief said people now believe they are the owners of the country and its resources.

He called upon all to organise and remain alert so that no one can embezzle or waste the country's resources. "We must remain aware of evil and anti-people forces who want to misappropriate our assets."

Dr Kamal said a national unity can protect people's interests and their ownership of the state.

Asked about the maiden session of the 11th parliament, the Oikyafront convener said they will come up with their statement on the issue later.

Asked whether Gonoforum's two MPs-elect will take oath, he said, "It's not the right issue to discuss here. We'll talk about the issue later at a press conference. Now we're talking about giving the national unity an institutional shape."

Dr Kamal called upon people to get organised across the country so that Oikyafront can play an effective role in protecting the national interests.

Gonoforum's fifth council will be held on March 23 and 24 in the capital.

Unemployment allowance will be introduced for those above the age of 30, Jatiya Oikyafront said in its election manifesto unveiled today.

A commission will be formed to examine the state’s ability to introduce such an allowance system, it said.

There would be no age limit to joining government services except those of policy and defence forces.

There would be no quota except for the backward community and physically challenged people.

All vacant posts in government services will be filled up in the next three years.

A minimum allowance will be provided for the educated old people and they would be provided with part-time jobs.

Examinations for Primary Education Completion Certificate for class five students and Junior School certificate for class eight students will be cancelled.

A single admission test will be introduced for admission to all public universities.

Madrassa students will be educated in technical trainings and employment will be provided abroad for them. A commission will be formed for reform of Madrassa education with focus on employment.

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 AGENDAS?

Formed with major political oppositions to ruling alliance, the Oikyafront includes ruling Awami League’s arch opposition BNP.

Currently, they are campaigning with a seven-point charter including freedom for BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and election under a nonpartisan government.

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.

Two lawmakers-elect of the Gonoforum may take oath and join the 11th parliament, Dr Kamal Hossain said yesterday. 

"We've rejected the election, but the way our two candidates came out successful in such an election through competition is their big achievement. So, we're thinking positively about sending them to parliament," said the Gonoforum chief.

He was addressing a press briefing at Bangladesh Shishu Kalyan Parishad after an extended meeting of the party.

Later, Gonoforum leader Sultan Mohammad Munsur, who was elected from Moulvibazar-2, told this correspondent that he and his party colleague Mukabbir Khan, elected from Sylhet-2, will take oath as lawmakers of 11th parliament.

Gonoforum is a key component of the Jatiya Oikyafront, which earlier had termed the parliamentary polls a farce and demanded the Election Commission immediately hold a fresh election under a nonpartisan interim government.

“We reject this so-called result. At the same time, we demand fresh polls under a nonpartisan government,” Dr Kamal, also convener of the Oikyafront, told the press hours after the polling was over at 4:00pm on December 30.

The BNP, another major component of the Oikyafront, said the next day that its leaders elected in the 11th parliamentary polls will not take oath as they have already rejected the results.

The party took the decision at a meeting of its standing committee alleging various irregularities and violations, including ballot stuffing and ouster of opposition polling agents, from voting centres.

Contacted yesterday, Mirza Fakhrul refused to make any comment on the Gonoforum's latest position.

“I am in Noakhali and I am not aware of any such decision. That's why I don't want to make any comment on this,” Fakhrul told this correspondent.

Another Oikyafront leader Mahmudur Rahman Manna, who is also coordinator of Nagorik Oikya, told The Daily Star that the alliance leaders will sit at 11:00am today to decide whether its MPs-elect will take oath.

This is the first time any Gonoforum leader won in the national election since formation of the party in 1999. 

At yesterday's briefing, Dr Kamal said the two leaders of the party can play a positive and meaningful role in parliament after taking oath.

“If others think it won't be possible for them to play a good role in parliament, they may take a decision in line with that thinking.” 

In reply to a query, Dr Kamal said he thinks it will not create any problem with the BNP if the two MPs-elect take oath.

“I think the Jatiya Oikyafront will remain intact to create pressure on the government,” he said.

“We've formed the Oikyafront so that we can realise our demand for a free and fair election. We believe that if Oikyafront functions effectively, we'll be able to mount pressure on the government over the election and force it to discharge its duties obeying laws.”

The Gonoforum chief said that in principle, the party is in favour of keeping the unity and will take a positive decision in this regard after discussions.

He added that the Oikyafront has kept its movement on and it may be intensified further in the days to come.

Replying to a question, he said they may move the court over the election if they get the evidence of serious Electoral fraud.

In the December 30 polls, 280 candidates of Oikyafront and BNP-led 20-party alliance ran with BNP's electoral symbol “sheaf of paddy”.

The Oikyafront managed to win only seven seats and two of those were bagged by Gonoforum candidates.

The AL-led grand alliance secured 288 seats. JP, a key component of the alliance, bagged 22. Independent candidates got three.

The election in Gaibandha-3 constituency was rescheduled for January 27 following the death of a candidate, and re-polling will take place in three centres in Brahmanbaria-2 on January 9.

Gonoforum leader Mukabbir Khan had initially quit the race as he was denied nomination from the Oikyafront.

The alliance nominated missing BNP leader Ilias Ali's wife Tahsina Rushdir Luna. But she lost her candidacy following a High Court order.

It then called back Mukabbir to contest in the election as BNP candidate. He contested the polls with Gonoforum's electoral symbol “rising sun”.

Munsur won from Moulvibazar-2 with BNP's symbol “sheaf of paddy”. 

On October 13, BNP and three other political parties formally launched an alliance called Jatiya Oikyafront, around two months before the national election.

The alliance unveiled an 11-point goal and promised to bring sweeping reforms in governance system if voted to power.

Three other components of the alliance are Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) led by ASM Abdur Rob, Manna's Nagorik Oikya, and Krishak Sramik Janata League led by Kader Siddique.

Rob and Kader could not be reached for comments.

At yesterday's briefing, Gonoforum General Secretary Mostafa Mohsin Montu in a written statement described the way the December 30 election was manipulated and rigged.

So, he said, those declared winner by the Election Commission were not actually “elected”.

Jatiya Oikyafront Convener Dr Kamal Hossain yesterday called upon the voters to go to polling centres early in the morning and cast votes without fear.

“I urge the voters to go to polling stations early in the morning and cast ballots. Don't be afraid. If you go there, criminals will flee. They cannot withstand the people's strength,” he told a press conference at Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU).

Replying to a query, the eminent jurist hoped people would vote for the Oikyafront candidates if today's election is held in a free and fair manner.

“If you talk to people, they will tell you that they want a change. We hope and believe that people will vote in our favour.” 

In a statement distributed at the briefing, the Gonoforum president called upon the young first-time voters to exercise their franchise.

“Keep in mind that if you are afraid, you are done; if you turn around, you are Bangladesh.”

Dr Kamal claimed that there are apprehension and confusion among people over the polls, and said this needs to be removed immediately.

“The polls will be held as the day breaks. There should have been a festive atmosphere now across the country. Instead, there are worries and confusion in people's mind.”

Dr Kamal, an architect of the country's constitution, called upon members of the army, the navy, police, Rab, Border Guard Bangladesh, Ansar, the VDP and Coast Guard to play a glorious role in the election like in the past.

“Your role in peacekeeping is being praised worldwide, and this has increased your scopes across the globe. You will remain careful so that it is not hampered in any way.”

The Oikyafront convener also urged Election Commission officials, returning officers and assistant returning officers to ensure people's voting rights.

“If you violate anyone's rights, remember that someone else is violating the rights of your mother, father, wife and children. If you do that, people, history and the law will not forgive you.”

Pointing to government employees, he said they do not belong to any party, and they serve people. “People are the owners of the country. Don't deprive them of the joy of casting votes.”

He also urged public officials not to abide by “any unlawful order”.

Responding to a query, the jurist said there is no division among the components of the Oikyafront. “Rather, our unity has been strengthened.”

About recent attacks on a number of Oikyafront candidates, he said, “I never saw or heard about such attacks and oppression in my life.”

He also reiterated that they would not quit the polls under any circumstances.

Speaking at the briefing, BNP Standing Committee Member Nazrul Islam Khan claimed that till Friday, 11,506 Oikyafront leaders and activists were arrested since the announcement of the election schedule on November 8.

He also alleged that Oikyafront men faced at least 2,896 attacks that left nine people dead and 13,252 others injured. 

Later, Dr Kamal and other top Oikyafront leaders held a view-exchange meeting with foreign journalists at the DRU. 

He briefed them about the attacks, cases and arrests of Oikyafront leaders and activists from November 8 to December 25.

The Oikyafront leader alleged that 2,833 attacks were made on the opposition men by Awami League men and police. At least, 12,923 people, including 49 Oikyafront contenders, were injured.

“Instead of being a time of festive competition, the campaign trail turned into a nightmare. The election road is pitted with serious obstacles, threats, intimidation and violent attacks against the opposition men,” he said.