Third political front

Organisers toiling for proper format

Leaders express optimism about floating such an alliance sometime after Eid-ul-Azha

A third political front, comprising parties outside the two major alliances led by the Awami League and the BNP, is yet to materialise. A couple of meetings have been held, but no official announcement has been made.

The matter is still at the discussion level, and no leader knows how and when the proposed electoral alliance will be formed and the announcement will be made, insiders said.

There is no possibility of an announcement being made very soon. It could be made when electioneering picks up with the participation of all, they said.

Talking to The Independent, top leaders of some parties involved in the process, however, expressed optimism about floating such an alliance sometime after Eid-ul-Azha.

The proposed third alliance has once again come up for discussion among those watching the political scene after the two meetings — one at Uttara and another at Baridhara — within the last two months.

The move was first made by the Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh president, Prof Dr Badruddoza Chowdhury, and the Gana Forum president, Dr Kamal Hossain, in 2013. But not much progress was made due to lack of understanding among the leaders and the political situation.

The Nagorik Oikya convenor, Mahmudur Rahman Manna, said the process to form the alliance was hampered as the political situation turned the other way.

“The structure of the proposed alliance is yet to be finalised. We have been continuing our discussion,” he said.

Manna, also the coordinator of the move, said until the alliance is formed, the parties would carry out their own programmes.

He said they are in touch with the leaders concerned and expects that they would go ahead with the move after Eid.

Replying to a question, he said they would welcome any political party that wants a credible and inclusive election to join their proposed alliance.

The Bangladesh Krishak Sramik Janata League president, Bongobir Abdul Kader Siddique, said they are trying their level best to form the alliance. “We have been continuing our discussions. We want to bring about a change and balance. Some people are trying to do it. I believe that the move will have a good result,” he said.

The senior leader said people are eagerly waiting for such an alliance.

Asked whether they would accommodate more political parties in the proposed alliance, he declined to make any comment.  

The Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal president, ASM Rab, said things would become clear when a proposed meeting is held after Eid.

“Work is going on… We are in touch with each other. Meetings are taken place among us,” he said.

The JSD leader expressed optimism that the alliance would be launched soon.

The top leaders of the Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh, JSD, Gana Forum, Nagorik Oikya and the Krishak Sramik Janata League had a meeting at ASM Rab’s Uttara house on July 13 and B Chowdhury’s residence at Baridhara on August 3.

Third political front

Organisers toiling for proper format

Leaders express optimism about floating such an alliance sometime after Eid-ul-Azha

A third political front, comprising parties outside the two major alliances led by the Awami League and the BNP, is yet to materialise. A couple of meetings have been held, but no official announcement has been made. The matter is still at the discussion level, and no leader knows how and when the proposed electoral alliance will be formed and the announcement will be made, insiders said. There is no possibility of an announcement being made very soon. It could be made when electioneering picks up with the participation of all, they said. Talking to The Independent, top leaders of some parties involved in the process, however, expressed optimism about floating such an alliance sometime after Eid-ul-Azha. The proposed third alliance has once again come up for discussion among those watching the political scene after the two meetings one at Uttara and another at Baridhara within the last two months. The move was first made by the Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh president, Prof Dr Badruddoza Chowdhury, and the Gana Forum president, Dr Kamal Hossain, in 2013. But not much progress was made due to lack of understanding among the leaders and the political situation. The Nagorik Oikya convenor, Mahmudur Rahman Manna, said the process to form the alliance was hampered as the political situation turned the other way. The structure of the proposed alliance is yet to be finalised. We have been continuing our discussion, he said. Manna, also the coordinator of the move, said until the alliance is formed, the parties would carry out their own programmes. He said they are in touch with the leaders concerned and expects that they would go ahead with the move after Eid. Replying to a question, he said they would welcome any political party that wants a credible and inclusive election to join their proposed alliance. The Bangladesh Krishak Sramik Janata League president, Bongobir Abdul Kader Siddique, said they are trying their level best to form the alliance. We have been continuing our discussions. We want to bring about a change and balance. Some people are trying to do it. I believe that the move will have a good result, he said. The senior leader said people are eagerly waiting for such an alliance. Asked whether they would accommodate more political parties in the proposed alliance, he declined to make any comment. The Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal president, ASM Rab, said things would become clear when a proposed meeting is held after Eid. Work is going on We are in touch with each other. Meetings are taken place among us, he said. The JSD leader expressed optimism that the alliance would be launched soon. The top leaders of the Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh, JSD, Gana Forum, Nagorik Oikya and the Krishak Sramik Janata League had a meeting at ASM Rabs Uttara house on July 13 and B Chowdhurys residence at Baridhara on August 3.