Ten retired defence officers today formally joined Dr Kamal Hossain-led Gono Forum expressing solidarity with the party’s political ideology and mission undertaken ahead of the upcoming 11th parliamentary election scheduled for December 30.

They joined the Gano Forum, a component of the Jatiya Oikyafront, at a programme at Dr Kamal Hossain’s Motijheel Law Chamber around 3:30pm, said a press release of the party.

The defence officers are: Lt Col (retd) and freedom fighter Khandakar Faridul Akbar, Lt Col (retd) Sheikh Akram Ali, Lt Col (retd) Mohammad Shahidullah, Lt Col (retd) AFM Nuruddin, Maj (retd) Masudul Hasan, Maj (retd) Md Imran, Maj (retd) Md Badrul Alam Siddiqui, Squadron Leader (retd) Md Forkan Alam Khan, Squadron Leader (retd) MD Habib Ullah and Squadron Leader (retd) MD Mahmud.

However, Kamal Hossain, president of the Gono Forum and the key leader of the Oikyafront, an alliance of BNP and several other opposition parties, was not present at that time.

Gono Forum executive presidents Mofizul Islam Kamal and Subrata Chowdhury welcomed them with a bucket of flowers.

Describing the December 30 as a challenging day for the nation, Subrata Chowdhury said, “We are going to participate in the election together with an aim to bring a positive change in the country.

“I hope that the people who joined the Gonoforum would engage in the battle of ballots to make our mission a success,” he said.

Besides during the joining event, Faridul Akbar said, “We thought that we have to work during the country’s crisis moment and thus we joined the Gonoforum.    

“The country will be emerged as a high income one and a healthy democracy will be restored here under the leadership of Kama Hossain,” he said.

WHY JATIYA OIKYAFRONT FORMED?

The Jatiya Oikyafront was formed on October 13 with its seven-pint demands including holding of the 11th parliamentary election under a neutral government after dissolution of parliament and release of BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia from jail.