Joining polls with Jamaat in Oikyafront was a mistake: Dr Kamal

It was a mistake to join the recent 11th parliamentary election with Jamaat-e-Islami under the banner of Jatiya Oikafront (JOF), said Jatiya Oikyafront chief Dr Kamal Hossain on Saturday.

"I've already publicly said I was not aware of Jamaat candidates in the election. When I gave consent... I was not informed about Jamaat. I think you (journalists) can say it was a mistake", he said, UNB reports.

Dr Kamal came up with the remarks at a press conference at Gana Forum's Arambagh central office after a meeting of party's central committee.

He also said he never did politics with Jamaat and will not do either in the future.

"My position is clear we never did politics with Jamaat nor think of doing it in the future but what you're saying about doing politics with Jamaat, we were not aware of it," he said.

Replying to a question, Kamal said they will mount pressure on BNP to drop Jamaat from its alliance to keep the Oikyafront intact and make it stronger further.

The election was held on December 30, 2018, bringing a landslide victory to the ruling Awami League amid allegations of widespread rigging and irregularities.