Ending all speculation, Jatiya Party (JP) chairman HM Ershad has finally cobbled together a new alliance of 58 political parties with him at the helm of affairs. The alliance is going to be the biggest coalition of parties in Bangladesh in terms of the number of parties of which only two are registered with the Election Commission (EC).
The former president announced the new political alliance—Sommilito Jatiya Jote (United National Alliance)—during a press conference at the Jatiya Press Club yesterday.
The 58-party UNA comprises the JP, the Bangladesh Islami Front and two alliances, Jatiya Islami Mohajote consisting 34 small parties and Bangladesh Jatiya Jote comprising 22 small parties. JP secretary general ABM Ruhul Amin Howlader will act as the spokesperson of the alliance.
The ruling Awami League leads a 14-party alliance, while its arch rival BNP heads a 20-party alliance.
Talking to the media, Ershad said it is difficult to speculate as to what would happen in future as there is no final word in politics. He mentioned that that his alliance will take part in the next general elections. “We've formed the alliance to take part in all elections and to build a prosperous Bangladesh by establishing peace and discipline in the country,” he said.
The alliance would remain intact and its partners will stand beside each other in times of need, he added.
Ershad said the alliance will work to restore Islamic values and establish a modern Bangladesh by establishing fundamental rights of the people. “We'll ensure religious rights. We'll neither hurt any religion nor allow anyone to do it,” he added.
The JP chairman said there will be no space for anti-Liberation forces in the country if their alliance comes to power.  
Replying to a question, Ershad said the ruling party-led alliance had become a grand one only after the JP joined it. “But we've left the alliance, and now we're in Parliament solely as the opposition party,” he added.
He claimed that two newly registered political parties want to join the new alliance. He, however, did not disclose the names of the parties.
Ershad, Islami Front chairman MA Mannan, Jatiya Islami Mohajote chairman Abu Naser Wahed and BNA chairman Sekander Ali signed the declaration of the new alliance.
JP vice-chairman GM Quader and secretary general Ruhul AMIN Howlader, among others, were present at the press conference.