Oikya Front seeks permission to meet Khaleda

Jatiya Oikya Front on Sunday sent a letter to prison authorities seeking permission for its five leaders to meet ailing Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chairperson Khaleda Zia at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU).

Talking to UNB, Oikya Front office secretary Jahangir Alam Mintoo said their five leaders, led by Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD-Rob) president Abdur Rob, will meet Khaleda in the first phase.

The four other leaders are JSD vice-president Tania Rob, Nagorik Oikya convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna, Gono Forum general secretary Reza Kibria and Gonoshasthya Kendra founder Zafrullah Chowdhury.

As per the discussion with home minister Asaduzzaman Khan during a meeting on 22 October, he said they sent the letter mentioning the names of five Oikyafront leaders to the IG Prison to meet the BNP chief in the first phase.

Mintoo said they requested the jail authorities to allow the five leaders to meet Khaleda either on Monday or Tuesday.

He said four-five other Oikya Front leaders will meet the BNP chairperson later in the second phase.

Khaleda has been in jail since she was convicted in Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case in 8 February, 2018. She was found guilty in another corruption case later the same year, though her party claims both the cases are 'politically motivated'.

She has been receiving treatment at the BSMMU since 1 April last.