A faction of Gonoforum, led by Mostafa Mohsin Montu, on Tuesday removed party founder Dr Kamal Hossain from the post of chief advisor to its committee. Besides, the faction’s presidium member Mizanur Rahman was expelled from the party. Mostafa Mohsin Montu, president of the Gonoforum faction, came up with the announcement at a press conference at the Jatiya Press Club. He said a meeting of their faction’s central committee on Monday unanimously decided to relieve Dr Kamal Hossain from the post of chief advisor and expel Mizanur Rahman from the presidium and the general membership of the party. Earlier on Saturday, a 101-member committee of Gonofroum, led by Dr Kamal, was announced with Dr Kamal its president and Mizanur Rahman general secretary. On December 3 last year, Gonoforum suffered a split as the Montu-led group formed a 157-member committee of the party through a council dropping its founder president Dr Kamal Hossain from the post of president. Mizanur Rahman was also made a presidium member of the faction. At the press conference, Montu turned down a 101-member new committee of Dr Kamal-led faction claiming the formation of the committee was completely unconstitutional and undemocratic. “No committee of Gonorforum can be formed as per whim of any individual. Only the councillors have the jurisdiction to do that.” He alleged that two more committees of Gonoforum were formed earlier under the leadership of Dr Kamal ignoring the councillors.  “When the senior leaders of the party indulge in undemocratic and unconstitutional activities, the party workers and common people get disappointed. Personally, I respect Dr Kamal Hossain, but his actions in the current political arena are becoming questionable among the common people," Montu said. A close associate of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Dr Kamal Hossain founded Gonoforum on August 29, 1993 deserting Awami League. Read: All going pear-shaped for Gonoforum Dr Kamal has been there in the post of party president since its inception. Conflicts among the party leaders began after its fifth council held on April 26, 2019, as many party leaders, including then general secretary Mostafa Mohsin Montu, were left out of the committee formed there. On May 5, 2019, Dr Kamal made Dr Reza Kibria general secretary of Gonoforum, dropping Mostafa Mohsin Montu, widening conflicts among the party leaders. Amid the internal conflict, Dr Reza Kibria resigned from Gonoforum and its post of general secretary on February 7 last year, but it was not enough to evade a split of the party.

Gonoforum President Dr Kamal Hossain on Saturday suggested the formation of structure of an independent and neutral election to overcome the country’s political crisis. Speaking at a press conference, he also slammed the Election Commission (EC) for its decision to use EVMs up to 150 seats in next polls ignoring the opinions of most opposition parties, saying it is an alarming sign. The veteran politician said greed for money and power has sickened the current politics with a terrible disease.  “A healthy politics by removing this disease can fulfill the aspirations of people.” Read: Gonoforum finally splits amid deepening infighting "We can’t allow the current state of uncertainty to continue. I call upon all conscious citizens, all civic organisations, students, workers, doctors, engineers, lawyers, teachers, journalists, other  professionals and women's organisations, to come up with a demand for the formation of a structure of a free and fair polls to resolve the crisis,” he said.  Dr Kamal said the electoral system has been destroyed and put into a question through the EC’s move to use the Electric Voting Machines (EVMs) in the upcoming national election. “The nation wants to get rid of the destroyed electoral system. We all must protect the country with our united efforts,” he said. “It will surely be possible to save the country and its economy if we all get united. Let’s get united, it’s my call to you. Let’s build people’s unity, citizens’ unity,” he said. “Go to your respective areas and tell local people that this country belongs to all of us. We should all unite and save this country. I want to put huge emphasis on unity,” Dr Kamal said. Read: Gano Forum: Hold next national polls under neutral govt  “We have to protect independence through the same unity with which we achieved independence. The state institutions have to be saved from corruption, he said adding the state should be saved from the negligence of the government. Gonoforum arranged the press conference at the Jatiya Press Club on the country’s overall situation. At the press conference, a 101-member full-fledged committee of Gonoforum was also announced with Dr Kamal Hossain its President and Mizanur Rahman new General Secretary.

Gonoforum President Dr Kamal Hossain on Thursday called upon the people to be vocal against misdeeds and immoral acts. “The country is suffering a huge loss because of various immoral acts and misdeeds. Unite people and be vocal against such activities,” he said. Dr Kamal was addressing virtually the founding anniversary and the first council of new political party, “Noitik Samaj”, at the Jatiya Press Club. He said the country must be freed from immoral and evil activities. “We hope all of you will continue to work for establishing the rule of law, human security, and good governance in the country.” Read: All going pear-shaped for Gonoforum Dr Kamal wished all-out success of the council of Noitik Samaj and urged the party leaders and activists to remain united to ‘restore’ people’s rights and democracy. On March 30 last year, Maj Gen (retd) AMSA Amin floated "Noitik Samaj" with an aim to create righteous leadership and moral values in politics. Nagorik Oikya convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna said the current government is an immoral regime since it has ‘usurped’ power by force indulging in vote ‘robbery’. If you ask any person anywhere in Bangladesh, they will say this government is unscrupulous.” He came down hard on the government for its failure to prevent the unusual and illogical hike in the prices of all essential commodities. Manna said people are lining up behind the trucks selling the goods of TCB to buy the essential food items like rice, flour, oil and onion as they are struggling to cope with the skyrocketing prices of the commodities. Read: PM enjoying lavish concert when people struggling to buy food: BNP Stating that the country witnessed a big famine in 1974 during the rule of the Awami League, he said a similar situation has now been prevailing as the same party is now in power. The Ngorik Oikya convener said an interim government will have to be formed after the fall of the Awami League regime for holding a neutral and credible election.

Renewing the demand for holding the next national election under a non-party government, Gonoforum President Dr Kamal Hossain said there is a possibility to revive Jatiya Oikyafront, an electoral alliance with BNP, to force the government to meet their demand. “We strongly demand that the next parliamentary election be held under a non-party government as we saw in the past it couldn’t be held in a fair and credible manner under a partisan government,” he said. Speaking at a press conference at a city hotel, Dr Kamal said they have a bitter experience of general elections under a partisan government. “We can expect to get a free and fair election if it’s held under a non-partisan government.” The Gonoforum chief said they are placing the demand for a polls-time impartial government to bring the issue to the limelight afresh. “We’ll work out our action programmes to realise it in the days to come.” As his attention was drawn to the constitution that has no provision for impartial government, he said it can be included in the constitution in the face of people’s demand. Replying to a question, Dr Kamal said a crisis will be created and a strong movement will be waged if the government does not accept their demand. Reviving Oikyafront Dr Kamal said though Jatiya Oikyafront -- formed before the 2018 national election -- has become an inactive platform, it still has the potential to rejuvenate. “In that sense, now Oikyafront doesn't have any existence, but there’s a scope to revive it, extend it, or to get united afresh,” he said. The Gonoforum President said they will sit for discussions on reviving the Oikyafront and take a decision on it later. READ: Dr Kamal for united movement to ‘oust govt’    On October 13, BNP, Gonoforum, Nagorik Oikya, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal and Jatiya Oikya Prokriya floated the alliance, Jatiya Oikyafront, led by Kamal Hossain ahead of the 11th parliamentary election. Kader Siddiqui’s Krishak Shramik Janata League formally joined it on November 5, 2018. The alliance took part in the December-30 national election using BNP’s election symbol, the Sheaf of Paddy, but got only eight seats -- BNP six and Gonoforum two. On July 18, 2019, Kader Siddiqui’s party left the alliance as it became inactive after the 11th parliamentary election. Enacting law for EC formation Dr Kamal said it is better to constitute the new Election Commission by enacting a law instead of forming it through a search committee. “The search committee can’t be neutral if it’s not constituted with impartial persons.” “We’re in favour of forming the next Election Commission under a law. We think there’s a chance to form a somewhat neutral Election Commission by enacting a law.” He also said enacting any law will be meaningless if it is breached. “Overall, I think a good and honest intention is necessary to form a neutral election commission.” READ: Dr Kamal’s Gonoforum to hold special council on Dec 4 Dr Kamal voiced concern as the prices of all essentials have increased following the hike in diesel price and transport costs. “The price of every item shouldn’t be so high due to the increase in the diesel price. The prices of daily essentials are going beyond the buying capacity of common people. We think it’s unjustified.” He urged the government to take steps for lowering the prices of essential items. The Gonoforum chief also said they had a plan to hold their party’s council on December 4, but they may arrange it at the end of January.

Stating that the country is now completely “under the grip of autocracy”, Gonoforum President Dr Kamal Hossain urged the political parties to take to the streets together to get rid of it.  "People are deprived of their rights, and they’ve no confidence in the present government. They (govt) have usurped power. A complete autocracy is now there in the country,” he said. Speaking at the inaugural session of Ganosanghati Andolon’s conference at the Jatiya Press Club, the veteran politician said the unity of people is now imperative to protect the country from “autocracy”. “People are mentally ready for a movement. They’ll take to the streets only if we the political parties can build the unity of people. Our people will get back their ownership of the country through a struggle on the streets.” Dr Kamal said the current government has no moral rights to run the country since it “usurped” power. “Let’s take a vow for a change (in govt) and forge a unity through discussions.” The Gonoforum chief said he is confident about the success of a movement as people are getting united. “Everyone has to take to the streets as soon as we call for a moment.  We’ll oust them (govt) by forging unity, and restore people’s ownership of the country.” Speaking at the programme, Gonoshasthaya Kendra founder Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury said the government has destroyed the country’s election system. "No election is held in every union. We’ve to wake up everywhere to restore the electoral system. We must get rid of this government.” He said there is no alternative to waging a strong street movement to ensure the fall of the Awami League government.  "The movement is the only way for us to bring a change. I believe there’ll be a change if the national leaders who’re now here can take to the streets together.” Zafrullah also thinks a national government needs to be formed to create a congenial and healthy atmosphere for holding a credible election. Condemning the recent communal violence in the country, he said it has manifested that not only the boat (AL’s election symbol) is sinking, but also the country. He criticized the state minister for religious affairs for what he said visiting violence-hit Cumilla 13 days after the incident. Zafrullah, also a freedom fighter, urged the government to hunt down the real offenders involved in sectarian violence instead of indulging in the blame game.

Gonoforum President Dr Kamal Hossain on Sunday said the current government must be ‘ousted’ through a united movement to save people from ‘misrule’ and ‘autocracy’. “We're the victims of misrule and dictatorship. We must be freed from it. We can't allow the country to be run like this. We must bring change through a movement by uniting people,” he said. The Gonoforum chief said the Awami League government has ‘stolen’ and ‘siphoned off’ huge money by indulging in widespread corruption. “They amassed huge wealth.  We’ll have to remove this regime." READ: Dr Kamal demands immediate release of journalist Rozina Dr Kamal made the remarks while speaking at a discussion at the Jatiya Press Club, marking the 28th founding anniversary of Gonoforum. He said there has been unity among people, but opposition parties need to reinforce it to form a government with public mandate. “We must come forward to save the country with the power of people. We need to start it now as a huge time has already elapsed.” Dr Kamal said people can now understand that they have to be united to get rid of repression and misrule. “We unitedly resisted the Pakistanis. I believe that if we now use that unity, we can make the impossible possible. We’ll unite people for the movement by going from house to house and from field to field.” The Gonoforum President, however, said their party does not want any violent movement. “We’ve to wage a movement for unity and build the country.” He said the country can be freed from corruption and plundering by empowering people and establishing a pro-people government. “We must establish a functional democracy where parliament will be constituted with people's representatives. People want us to save the country. We have a bright future ahead of us." Dr Kamal said they want to use all the resources of the country for the development of the nation by using people as the Bengali nation has immense power of production. READ: Gonoforum now united as internal feuds resolved: Dr Kamal He said Awami League formed the government through ‘vote robbery’. “It has curtailed the freedom of expression of civil society and journalists by enacting the Digital Security Act. Dr Kamal voiced concern over the human rights situation in the country and said repression and human rights violations at the hands of law enforcement have become a common affair in Bangladesh. “Bangabandhu did not dream of such a Bangladesh.”

Gonoforum’s former general secretary Mostafa Mohsin Montu on Saturday said their party President Dr Kamal Hossain is suffering from a little bit of memory problem as he messes up many things these days.

Stating that the low presence of voters in the recent city polls is an ‘ominous sign’ for the nation, Jatiya Oikyafront convener Dr Kamal Hossain on Tuesday said the two mayors-elect of Dhaka south and north city corporations are not elected by majority voters.

Voicing dissatisfaction over the low voter turnout, Jatiya Oikya Front Convener Dr Kamal Hossain on Saturday said voters are not coming to polling stations as they have no confidence in the election system.

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal on Friday said the government has nothing to do with the Dhaka city polls date though it coincides with Saraswati Puja.