Jatiyo Oikya Prokriya, led by Dr Kamal Hossain, held a citizens’ rally in Dhaka on Saturday (Sep 22) giving the government until Sep 30 to meet its three-point demand, including steps for the formation of an election-time ‘‘neutral’’ government through ‘‘discussions’’ with the political parties. Their two other demands are – taking ‘‘effective’’ steps for ‘‘reconstituting’’ the Election Commission, and dissolving parliament before the announcement of the election schedule.
Oikya Prokriya also announced to hold rallies across the country with the presence of national leaders from Oct 1 to involve people in their unity process.
Engineer Sheikh Muhammad Shahidullah, convener of the National Committee to Protect Oil, Gas and Mineral Resources, Power and Ports, read out an announcement of the citizens’ rally, local media reports said.
Jatiya Oikya Prokriya arranged the rally at Mohanagor Natto Mancho in the city as part of its efforts to create a greater national unity to ensure a ‘‘functional’’ democracy in the country through holding a credible national election. Dr Kamal presided over the rally.
Top leaders of Bangladesh Nationalist Party, its some alliance partners, Bikolpodhara Bangladesh, Jataiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD-Rob), Nagorik Oikya, Ganosanghati Andolon and some other political parties and some civil society members joined the rally, and extended their support to the demands.
Jatiyo Oikya Prokriya also urged people to form committees of the Greater National Unity in all the districts upazilas, unions and words comprising all the political parties, individuals, the people of all walks of life and civil society members who believe in the spirit of the Liberation War to realise the demands of the mass people through united and peaceful programmes.
