Oli announces new alliance with aim to ‘free Khaleda’

Oli Ahmed, president of Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), today announced to float a new political alliance to press their 18-point demand including release of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia from jail.

He announced the inception of the new platform -- Jatiya Mukti Mancha -- at a press conference at Jatiya Press Club in Dhaka this afternoon, reports our staff correspondent.

Oli Ahmed, chief coordinator of BNP-led 20-party combine, said that they will organise peaceful programmes aiming to “ensure people’s franchise and formation of people’s government”.

The press conference was in progress till last reported.

Demanding release of imprisoned Khaleda Zia, Oli expressed optimism that the countrymen and all the other opposition parties will extend support to the new alliance from their own stance.

Reading out a written statement, he said their will be no violent elements in their programmes.

Some other key demands of the newly floated alliance include: saving state-owned institutions; forming a national commission of experts; taking immediate steps to stop murders and enforced disappearances; and withdrawal of false cases.

LDP Joint Secretary General Shahdat Hossain Selim moderated the press conference.