Oikyafront's pledges in its election manifesto, to continue the trial for war criminals and end corruption, are “nothing but a joke”, Awami League joint general secretary Abdur Rahman said yesterday.

Speaking at a press conference at the AL president's Dhanmondi political office, Rahman also said Oikyafront has paved the way for more than 23 successors of war criminals to participate in the election under the symbol of “sheaf of paddy”.

“So, when they say they'll continue the trial of war criminals, it's not only a matter of joke but also an inconceivable matter,” he said.

The AL leader said, “Who has given shelter to war criminals and nominated them? How will they stand against these war criminals?”

He also claimed that Oikyafront is misleading the nation with its confusing manifesto.

Rahman went on to say, “Dr Kamal has proven that they're making a plan to foil the election. I would like to let them know that the election will be held on December 30 at any cost.”

About the pre-election violence, Abdur Rahman said, “Our party men were not engaged in attacking the opponents and vandalising anyone's campaign office.”

Major opposition alliance Jatiya Oikyafront has promised mass reforms in the health sector, including bringing down the cost of medical treatment.

• 31 bed Upazila health complex to become 50 bed hospitals
• Mandatory 1yr deployment of intern doctors in rural areas
• Reducing cost of medicine, medical tests
• Establishment of Ombudsman for discipline in health sector
• Health cards for all citizens

Mahmudur Rahman Manna, Nagorik Oikya convener and a leader of Oikyafront, read out the charter of the opposition alliance in Dhaka city today.

WHAT IS JATIYA OIKYAFRONT?

The Jatiya Oikyafront is an alliance of the BNP, Dr Kamal Hossain-led Jatiya Oikya Prokriya, ASM Abdur Rob’s Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal, and Mahmudur Rahman Manna’s Nagorik Oikya.

The Oikyafront was formed on October 13 with the demands of a national election under a neutral government after dissolution of parliament and release of BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia from jail.

WHAT ARE OIKYAFRONT’S AGENDAS?

Formed with major political oppositions to ruling alliance, the Oikyafront includes ruling Awami League’s arch opposition BNP.

Currently, they are campaigning with a seven-point charter including freedom for BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and election under a nonpartisan government.

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 reconstitution of the Election Commission.

Jatiya Oikyafront will brief media this evening on overall situation of today’s general election.

The press conference will be held at his Paltan office after 8:00pm today, the party sources said.

Earlier at a press briefing around 2:30pm, Oikyafront convener Dr Kamal Hossain said he was concerned over the election atmosphere.

The voting in the 11th parliamentary election ended in all the 300 constituencies across the country at 4:00pm.

Jatiya Oikyafront has pledged speedy trial of the attackers who pounced on students during the movement of safe roads a few months ago.

The major opposition alliance touched the pulse of the students involved with the popular student movement of August in its manifesto.

During that time, the attackers, wearing helmets, who became popular as “helmet goons”, drew outrage from all quarters, including the students.

Going further into developing the transport sector, Oikyafront pledged immediate steps to mitigate the traffic congestion in major cities.

It spoke of drawing elaborate policies, prioritising public transportation, and promising safe and comfortable commute for all citizens of the country.

Oikyafront also pledged to expand the railway sector.

Mahmudur Rahman Manna, Nagorik Oikya convener and a leader of Oikyafront, read out the charter of the opposition alliance in Dhaka city today.

WHAT IS JATIYA OIKYAFRONT?

The Jatiya Oikyafront is an alliance of the BNP, Dr Kamal Hossain-led Jatiya Oikya Prokriya, ASM Abdur Rob’s Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal, and Mahmudur Rahman Manna’s Nagorik Oikya.

The Oikyafront was formed on October 13 with the demands of a national election under a neutral government after dissolution of parliament and release of BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia from jail.

WHAT ARE OIKYAFRONT’S AGENDAS?

Formed with major political oppositions to ruling alliance, the Oikyafront includes ruling Awami League’s arch opposition BNP.

Currently, they are campaigning with a seven-point charter including freedom for BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and election under a nonpartisan government.

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 reconstitution of the Election Commission.

Krishak Sramik Janata League has walked out of Jatiya Oikyafront alleging that the alliance failed to wage movement against the government.

The party President Kader Siddique made the announcement at a press conference in the capital Dhaka this morning.

Kader blamed the Oikyafront leaders for their inactive role and failure to wage movement against the government.

The Oikyafront, which was formed before the last parliamentary election, could not play any role in waging anti-government movement for gas price hike and such other current issues, he said.

However, he vowed to carry out movement through forming a new platform for establishing the people’s right to vote.

The Jatiya Oikyafront is an alliance of BNP, Gonoforum, Nagorik Oikya, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (Rab) and some other political parties.