Dhaka: Dr Badruddoza Chowdhury-led Jukta Front and Dr Kamal Hossain-led Jatiya Oikya Prokriya on Saturday formally announced the journey of a ‘greater national unity’ to ensure ‘functional democracy’ in the country through holding a credible national election.

Jatiya Oikya Prokriya convener and Gano Forum president Dr Kamal Hossain came up with the announcement at a press conference at the Jatiya Press Club.

‘We the Jukta Front and Jatiya Oikya Prokriya are announcing a joint declaration of a greater national unity which will unite the people of all walks of life. We’ll create the unity at every locality, every village and every house, so that people can get back the ownership of their country,’ he said.

Dr Kamal further said, ‘The greater national unity begins from today (Saturday). I hope our unity will yield a very positive outcome with support from people, and a functional democracy will be restored in the country.’

Jukta Front chairman Badruddoza Chowdhury could not be present at the programme as he fell sick on the way to the Press Club. 

However, Jukta Front member secretary and Nagorik Oikya convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna, on behalf of the two platforms, read out the joint declaration of the national unity a with a 5-point demand and nine targets, including installing an election-time neutral government for holding the next general election in a fair and credible manner. 

Earlier, leaders of the two platforms tried to go to the Central Shaheed Minar from the Jatiya Press Club to place wreaths there before the announcement of the national unity. But they returned halfway through as what they said the Dhaka University authorities asked them not to go there.