Sylhet: Jatiya Oikyafront chief Dr Kamal Hossain on Wednesday said people will again become the country’s owners as the victory of their alliance is certain through a united movement.

‘We’ll again become the country’s owners and bring the country under our control, ensure people’s overall welfare and equality through a united movement,’ he said, reports the UNB.

Speaking at a public rally at the city’s Registry Field, he further said, ‘I can assure you that our victory is certain through the unity of the Oikyafront.’  

Jatiya Oikyafront arranged the rally to mobilise public support in favour of the alliance’s seven-point demand, including holding the next election under a non-party administration. 

It was the first political programme of the new alliance of four parties—BNP, Gano Forum, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD-Rob) and Nagorik Oaky—since its formation on October 13.

Kamal said though the government talks about development, only a handful of people have been benefited. ‘The development of a few people is not the real development…we want the development of all. Let’s get united for the real development.’

He reminded that the Bengalese had been successful whenever they got united in the past.  ’So, get united thinking about our victory, we’ll surely be the owner of state power, and we’ll take the country forward with our united efforts so that we can enjoy our all rights.’

The rally activities started around 2pm with recitation from the holy Quran and holy Gita. Sylhet City Mayor Ariful Haque Chowdhury is presiding over the rally.
BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir addressed the rally as the main speaker.

Before the start of the rally, the senior leaders of the Oikyafront visited the Shrines of Hazrat Shahjalal ®, Shah Paran ® and the grave of General MAG Osmani, and offered fateha there on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.

Several hundred leaders and activists of the party holding placards, banners and portraits of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman, chairperson Khaleda Zia and acting chairman Tarique Rahman started thronging the rally venue since noon. They chanted various slogans demanding Khaleda’s release from jail. 
Huge law enforcers have been deployed in the city and around the rally venue to maintain law and order.

The Oikyafront’s seven-point demand includes installation of a neutral interim government, dissolution of parliament, reconstitution the Election Commission, release of all political prisoners, deployment of army and cancellation of the move to use Electronic Voting Machines (EVMS) for holding the next polls in fair and acceptable manner.

After the Sylhet Rally, Oikyafront is scheduled to hold another such programme at Laldighi Maidan in Chattogram city on October 27. However, they alliance did not yet get permission for the rally.