Oikyafront postpones road march, to hold rally in Rajshahi

Jatiya Oikyafront has postponed its tomorrow’s road march programme towards Rajshahi.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir confirmed the development this evening saying that they have taken the decision fearing arrest and assaults on leaders and activists of the alliance.

Fakhrul, one of the key leaders of the opposition alliance, said they would hold their public rally in Rajshahi as per the schedule on November 9 to drum up support for their seven-point demand to hold the upcoming national election in a free, fair and inclusive manner.

The decision of Oikyafront came hours after the leaders of the alliance vowed to continue their movement until their demands are met.

Earlier in the afternoon, Fakhrul, addressing a press conference after a parley with the prime minister led ruling 14-party alliance, said Oikyafront will continue its movement and hold road march programme towards Rajshahi tomorrow as per its previous schedule.

“We are still in movement,” he said after holding the dialogue at Gono Bhaban. 

Responding to a query over the outcome of the dialogue, Oikyafront key leader Dr Kamal Hossain said it is the responsibility of the government to bring a peaceful resolution of the current political stalemate.

“The ball is now in the court of the government,” the veteran jurist told reporters at a press briefing at his Bailey Road residence.

Besides, the Oikyafront leaders, at a rally in Dhaka yesterday, declared that they would wage tougher movement if their today’s dialogue went in vain.

Meanwhile, the state-run news agency BSS today reports that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will address media tomorrow over the outcomes of her dialogues with the political parties and alliances including the Oikyafront.

WHY WAS THE MARCH ANNOUNCED?

Jatiya Oikyafront, at a rally in Dhaka yesterday, threatened to intensify agitation through a series of programmes, including a road march towards Rajshahi from the capital tomorrow if today’s discussion went in vain.

They also announced to hold a mass rally in Rajshahi city on November 9 and another road march programme towards the election commission on next day to drum up support for their seven-point demands placed at the parley with the prime minister.

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 recasting the Election Commission.