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.

Jatiya Oikyafront today decided to hold a mass hearing programme on February 24, bringing allegations of vote rigging, balloting stuffing and violence in the December 30 national election.

The Oikyafront leaders took the decision in a steering committee meeting with Gonoforum President Dr Kamal Hossain in the chair at their Paltan office, according to a press release.

The steering and coordination committee members of the Oikyafront will hold a preparatory meeting on February 17 to make the mass hearing programme a success, it said.

Besides, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today describing the BNP-led Oikyafront’s decision to boycott parliament as “politically wrong” reiterating her call to them to join the Jatiya Sangsad.

BNP-led Jatiya Oikyafront took part in the December 30 national election and secured a total of eight seats including six of its key partner BNP.

Soon after the election, both the BNP and the Oikyafront rejected the polls result bringing numerous allegations including vote rigging, ballot stuffing and widespread violence during the election.

The eight leaders elect in the election have yet taken oath as the lawmakers of the 11th parliament.

Under article 67 (1) (a) of the constitution, lawmakers' seats fall vacant if they fail to take oath within 90 days from the date of the first sitting of the House.

Terming the prevailing trend of robbing the state wealth as horrible, Jatiya Oikyafront today said that the country and its sovereignty will plunge into a severe internal crisis if it is continued.

Jatiya Oikyafront, led-by Gono Forum President Dr Kamal Hossain, thinks that such type of irregularities and misdeeds can’t take place unless government helps, said a press statement signed by Oikyafront leader Reza Kibria.

“It is now proved that the undemocratic government has pushed the country to the verge of collapse only to take the state power under its absolute control through indulging in irregularities and corruption,” Oikyafront said in the context of the ongoing crackdown on the casino and illegal business.

In the statement, Oikyafront demanded the resignation of the present government and called upon it to announce a national government to uphold the country’s independence and sovereignty.

The Oikyafront, in the statement, also said that holding of a national dialogue with political parties and professional bodies will be the time buffeting step to resolve the prevailing crisis.

It also demanded the formation of a national commission to probe the government’s indulgence in criminal activities including abduction, killing and enforced disappearance and corruption.

The Oikyafront also demanded the immediate release of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and other political parties’ leaders from jail.

A total of 47 opposition candidates have boycotted the election so far citing vote rigging and ballot stuffing. 

Among them, 22 Jamaat candidates, who were contesting the polls under the ‘sheaf of paddy’ symbol, said they boycotted the election due to “unfair voting atmosphere”.