Oikyafront won't go for tea with PM

The Jatiya Oikyafront leaders will not attend the prime minister's tea party today.

In a letter sent to the Gono Bhaban, the BNP-led alliance yesterday said its leaders will not attend the party.

A three-member delegation of the alliance handed the letter to an employee of the Gono Bhaban, Jahangir Alam Mintu, media coordinator of the alliance, told The Daily Star.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is hosting the event to exchange greetings with leaders of 75 political parties and alliances.

The PM had held dialogue with leaders of these parties before the election.

Distribution of the invitation letters began on January 26.

Left Democratic Alliance (LDA), a platform of eight left-leaning parties, will also not attend the party.

Partners of the AL-led grand alliance, Jatiya Party, Bikalpa Dhara-led Juktafront, Islami Oikya Jote, Khelafat Andolan, and Khelafat Majlish are among the parties expected to attend the event.

The Jatiya Oikyafront leaders took the decision at a meeting on Thursday.

In its letter, the Oikyafront said the government was formed through a farcical election on December 30.

It also mentioned that many leaders and activists of the Oikyafront were behind the bars and it was not possible for the leaders to attend the tea Party in the given circumstance.

Similarly, LDA leader Mujahidul Islam Selim said, “After holding a farcical election, the government is now organising a tea party. We will not go there to legitimise the election.”

Meanwhile, Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader said the BNP's decision not to join the tea party exposed the party's age old negative attitude, reports UNB.

Speaking at a press conference at Awami League president's Dhanmondi office, he said the Jatiya Oikyafront leaders could openly discuss various political issues by joining the programme.

"Many things can be discussed while taking tea as politicians are used to talk about politics. So, the BNP's representatives could talk to the prime Minister at the tea party. They could openly tell her if they have anything to say," Quader said.