Dhaka: Jatiya Oikyafront leader Dr Kamal Hossain on Wednesday said their alliance will hold talks with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina-led 14-party alliance on Thursday in the national interest.

‘We believe in dialogue. We always think people are the owners of (state) power. We want talks to be held in the national interest,’ he said, reports the UNB.

Speaking at a discussion, Dr Kamal also said they will take the country forward with united efforts through the talks. ‘The victory of the united people is certain.’

Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD-Rob) arranged the programme at the Jatiya Press Club, marking its 46th founding anniversary.

Dr Kamal, also the president of Gono Forum, said a national unity has already been forged in the country for a fair election.

He called upon all to get organised at every village and locality with their demand for holding a fair election. ‘We want a credible election and we must protect its results after the polls so that no one can snatch it.’

Kamal also urged all to get united to protect the country’s interests and resources as its owner.

Speaking at the programme, BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir criticised the government for what he said its repressive acts. ‘Our leaders and activists are being arrested every day. So, there’s a doubt in people about the Prime Minister’s sincerity over the talks and its outcome.’

He, however, said the Prime Minister will use the dialogue as a scope for restoration of democracy, people’s rights and build Bangladesh as a true democratic country.

Fakhrul also hoped that Jatiya Oikyafront’s seven-point demand will be accepted through the dialogue to resolve the country’s political situation.

JSD president ASM Abdur Rob said they have formed the Oikyafront to establish a pro-people government.

He called upon the Prime Minister to accept their seven-point demand through the talks in the interest of peace and aspirations of the freedom fighters by ensuring people’s voting rights.

At the meeting, 19 different political parties expressed their solidarity with Jatiya Oikyafront.

On October 13, BNP together with Dr Kamal Hossain-led Jatiya Oikya Prokriya, JSD and Nagorik Oikya launched the Jatiy Oikyafront to press for their seven-point demand.

The Oikyafront’s seven-point demand includes installation of a neutral interim government, dissolution of parliament, reconstitution the Election Commission, release of all the 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.