'Manch-24' demands to declare Jatiya Party ineligible for elections

Calling it an accomplice of tyranny, political organization 'Manch-24' has demanded to declare Jatiya Party ineligible for elections within the next 48 hours. Fahim Farooqui, the organization's convener, made this demand at a press conference organized at the Madhur Canteen of Dhaka University on Friday (January 2) afternoon to protest the filing of nomination papers by Jatiya Party in 224 seats across the country.

In a written statement at the press conference, he said that for 16 years, Awami League has not been able to establish a Mujib-friendly regime alone, but through a 14-party alliance including Jatiya Party. Jatiya Party must also take responsibility for the same crimes against humanity that Awami League has committed. There is no opportunity to separate Awami League and Jatiya Party on the issue of justice.

Fahim Farooqui alleged that although the interim government has banned Awami League's political activities, the activities of their main ally Jatiya Party have not yet been stopped. He said that no fascist or vocal political force can have a chance to do politics in post-July Bangladesh.

He also said that the Awami League and the Jatiya Party have played the same role in every farce election held during the Hasina era. Any party or alliance involved in taking away the people's voting rights cannot participate in the politics of post-July Bangladesh.

It was informed at the press conference that the government has already been given two lawyer notices against the Jatiya Party and the Awami League's collaborators involved in the genocide. One of these notices was given by an NCP leader and the other was given by the July Unity. The organization demands that legal action should be taken against these parties within the next 48 hours and they should be declared disqualified from the election.

Warning, Fahim Farooqui said that if the Election Commission does not take action within the stipulated time, a program to surround the Election Commission will be announced after discussing with all the stakeholders of the July Mass Movement.

He also said that if the Jatiya Party is given the opportunity to participate in the elections, students and the public will be involved in building a strong resistance against the Jatiya Party, just like the Awami League.