Kader Siddiqui threatens to quit Oikya Front

Abdul Kader Siddiqui, president of Krishak Sramik Janata League (KSJL), on Thursday threatened to quit the Kamal Hossain-led Jatiya Oikya Front by a month if inconsistencies are not removed from the alliance, reports UNB.

"There're many inconsistencies in Jatiya Oikya Front...I'll pull out our party from the Jatiya Oikya Front on 8 June if the inconsistencies are not removed by this time," he said.

Kader Siddique issued the ultimatum at a press conference at KSJL's Motijheel central office.

On 6 May, Andaleeve Rahman Partha, chairman of Bangladesh Jatiya Party (BJP), one of the key partners of BNP's another alliance 20-party, quit the coalition for various reason, including swearing-in by seven MPs-elect of Jatiya Oikya Front.

On 13 October, 2018, Oikya Front was formed by BNP, Gono Forum, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD-Rob) and Nagorik Oikya under the leadership of Kamal Hossain.

On 5 November, KSJL formally joined the Oikya Front and took part in the 30-December election in alliance using BNP's election symbol, 'Sheaf of Paddy'.

However, Oikya Front only got eight seats -- BNP six and Gonoforum 2 -- in the election.

Kader Siddiqui said many problems have been created in the alliance after the national election.

"People raise questions over some activities of Jatiya Oikya Front after the election. The alliance couldn't function properly while it's failed to stand by the families of the people killed and injured during the election violence. We also failed to hold a mass gathering on 30 April at Shahbagh," he said.

The KSJL president said there has been confusion in public mind about Jatiya Oikya Front as its MPs-elect were sworn in though the alliance turned down the dangerous 'drama' staged on 30 December in the name of national election.

"When one of the BNP's six-so-called MPs-elect took oath was expelled by the party, its four other MPs-elect were sworn in later. But, Mirza Fakhrul refrained from doing the same. These activities make people confused and we're unable to give people any answer to their questions," he said.

The KSJL chief also criticised Gono Forum for allowing Mokabbir Khan to be present at its special council since Kamal Hossain forced him out of his room after he had been sworn in violating the party decision.

He also said those who took oath as the MPs of the 11th parliament will be considered as more notorious than Mir Jafar.

Replying to a question, Kader Siddiqui said he talked to senior leaders of Oikya Front, including Kamal Hossain, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, ASM Abdur Rob and Mahmudur Rahman Manna and Mostafa Mohsin Montu over the problems in the alliance.