Sylhet: Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), one of the components of the 20-party alliance, on Wednesday extended its full support to Jatiya Oikyafront led by Dr Kamal Hossain.

LPD general secretary Redwan Ahmed came up with the announcement at the maiden public rally of Jatiya Oikyafront at the city’s Registry Field.

Speaking at the rally, he said, ‘LDP will wage a movement together with other parties for the restoration of democracy and people’s voting rights. We’re giving our full support to Jatiya Oikyafront in this regard.’

Redwan criticised the government for what he said its ‘limitless’ repression on opposition leaders and activists, reports the UNB.  

LDP was very critical of BNP’s move to form a new alliance with Dr Kamal Hossain-led Oikya Prokriya and Badruddoza Chowdhury-led Jukta Front.

Even, the party leaders threatened to quit the 20-praty if BNP forms such an alliance as its president Oli Ahmed had long been at loggerheads with B Chowdhury.

As the Oikyafront was finally formed without B Chowdhury, LDP changed its stance. 

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.

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.

Kamal Hossain addressed the rally as the chief guest while BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir as the main speaker.