Speaking at a press conference at the Jatiya Press Club, he also hinted that Jamaat can also be there in the new political platform, ‘‘Jatiya Mukti Mancha’, floated under his leadership.

Oli said his party together with Kalyan Party, Jatiya Ganatantrik Party (Jagpa), Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish and Democratic National Movement has formed the new platform to realise their 18-point demand, including the release of BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia from jail and ‘restoration’ of democracy in the country.

Replying to a question whether Jamaat will be there in their platform, he said, “We’ll take all the patriotic forces who believe in the independence of Bangladesh with us…we must unite the nation as only weak people want to divide the nation.” 

He further said, “Jamaat in 1971 and Jamaat in 2019 is not the identical one. “The current Jamaat leaders love Bangladesh.”

Oli, a valiant freedom fighter, said the current Jamaat leaders changed and corrected themselves to be a patriotic force. “They’re now a force which loves the country. We hope those who love the country and want to free Khaleda Zia and the country’s people will come with us as we want to keep them with us.”

Asked whether they have floated the new platform due to BNP’s failure, he said he is not willing to talk about anybody’s failure. “We all, including the freedom fighters, have the failure.” 

He said they have formed the platform to free Khaleda Zia and ensure people’s voting rights.