Kader Siddique indecisive on joining Oikyafront

A meeting between top leaders of Jatiya Oikyafront and Krishak Sramik Janata League (KSJL) ended inconclusively last night, as the latter is yet to decide whether to join the recently-formed opposition alliance.

KSJL will inform their decision on November 3, from a discussion marking Jail Killing Day, its president Kader Siddique told reporters after the meeting.

Top leaders of Oikyafront, including Dr Kamal Hossain will take part in the discussion and will express their views on the matter there, Kader said.

“We want a meaningful change in the country. Dr Kamal Hossain and Prof AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury started the initiative to bring the changes,” Kader said. Dr Kamal has now taken the lead role in the process, Kader said, and hoped he [Dr Kamal] will be able to fulfil people's expectation.

Earlier, leaders of Oikyafront including Kamal Hossain, also the president of Gonoforum; Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) President ASM Abdur Rob and its General Secretary Abdul Malek Ratan; Jatiya Oikya Prokriya Member Secretary ABM Mostafa Amin and its member Sultan Muhammed Mansur Ahmad; and Gonoshasthaya Kendra founder Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury went to Kader's Mohammadpur residence.

The meeting lasted an hour and a half, starting 8:30pm.

“We could not reach a consensus as there are still some differences between us. However, we came closer. We hope that the differences will be over and his party will join us,” a leader of Oikyafornt who was present at the meeting, told The Daily Star. However, no representatives from BNP, a key ally of the coalition, took part in the meeting.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir had met with with Kader Siddique at the latter's house on Tuesday night, and urged Kader to join Oikyafront, said BNP sources.

Asked whether KSJL agreed to join Oikyafront, Kamal said, “He [Kader Siddique] has given me support throughout my life.”

Asked about today's dialogue with the prime minister, Kamal said, “I believe we will try to hold a meaningful dialogue, so that we can go forward through a free and fair election.”