July Oikya on Monday demanded that the Jatiya Party and the 14-party alliance be declared ineligible to contest the upcoming 13th parliamentary elections, citing alleged violations of state law in approving candidates who are loan defaulters and dual citizens.
At an emergency press conference held in front of the National Press Club, the group also called on the Election Commission (EC) and the Ministry of Home Affairs to recover illegal arms and ensure a level playing field for all candidates.
Leaders of July Oikya described the clearance of at least 45 loan defaulters as a “serious breach of state law,” noting that while some defaulters were barred, others were allowed to contest. They also criticized the EC for approving candidates holding dual citizenship, alleging that some are involved in corruption and money laundering abroad.
The group also rejected the verdict in the Chankharpul murder case, calling it biased, and urged an appeal.
In a written statement, July Oikya said it has been campaigning for the past two months to disqualify the Jatiya Party and the 14-party alliance, accusing them of complicity in the 2024 mass uprising killings and of opposing reform. The organization has filed writ petitions in the High Court, conducted election-focused marches, and submitted memorandums to authorities.
Addressing the EC directly, the group demanded the immediate cancellation of nominations for the Jatiya Party, the NDF, the 14-party alliance, and what they described as Awami League-linked militants.
They warned that failure to act could prompt protests from students and families of victims, holding the EC responsible for any consequences.
Among others, the party organizers Plabon Tarek, Zainal Abedin Shishir, Israfil Farazi, and Munshi Burhan Mahmud, were present on the occasion.
EAR/MHK