BNP eyes greater alliance in Sept

A greater electoral alliance, led by the BNP, is likely to come into being sometime in September to compel the government to hold the next general election under a neutral administration, according to BNP sources.

“The format of the proposed alliance, accommodating political parties outside the two major political alliances has almost been finalised. Now, it's a matter of time to formally float the alliance,” said a senior BNP leader.

The name of the alliance is likely to be “Jatiya Oikya Front” (National Unity Front). The announcement about the alliance is likely to be made in September, said the leader.

The BNP leader, who wished not to be named, said along members of civil society will also be accommodated in the alliance to hold the next general election in a free and fair manner.

Another BNP leader said that they are working on the directives of the party chairperson, Khaleda Zia, to forge a great political alliance ahead of the next general election. He expressed hope that an announcement in this regard would be made at an appropriate time.   The BNP had boycotted the 2014 general election and has been demanding holding the next polls under a neutral government.

When contacted, leaders of at least three political parties confirmed that BNP leaders have communicated with them on forging a greater political alliance.

Many of them said they feel that there should be a greater political platform to put pressure on the government to hold the next polls under a neutral administration. Some of them, however, made it clear that they would not be a part of the proposed alliance with the Jamaat-Islami, a major allay of the BNP-led 20-Party Alliance, in it.

BNP vice-chairman Shamsuzzaman Dudu said greater unity is needed to transform "fascism into a democratic process" by holding a free and fair election. “All political parties realise that there will not be a free and fair election under the present government. So, they have either to take to the street from a single platform or from their own positions,” he added.

Dudu said the government would be bound to hold the election under a neutral administration if all the opposition parties reach a consensus on carrying out a movement and taking part in the polls unitedly.  

He also said they are working for such an alliance and formal talks among the respective parties will begin after a formal announcement in this regard.

He further said being a major party, the BNP has more responsibility to communicate with other parties and it is doing just that.

Replying to a question, Dudu said the announcement of such an alliance would be made at an appropriate time.

Mahmudur Rahman Manna, convenor of Nagorik Oikya, said they are in touch with the BNP. The BNP has put forward a proposal to the political parties outside the two major alliances to form such an electoral alliance, but there is no significant progress to mention till now, he added.

He, however, said they feel all political parties should take to the street together to put pressure on the government to hold the next elections under a neutral government. He alleged that the BNP wants to forge a greater unity, but it cannot handle the issue efficiently.

“We must take to the street. A coordinated movement can be launched. There will not be any change if we take part in the polls separately,” he said.

He thinks that the BNP would keep the Jamaat outside such an alliance.

He also said they are yet to discuss the BNP's proposal inside the Jukta Front.

He further said if there is a consensus on taking part in the next polls, they would seek a guarantee about the qualitative changes of the government.

Abdur Rouf Mannan, joint secretary general of Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh, said considering the previling political situation in the country, there is no alternative to getting united. “It will be tough to remove the government that carries out repression on political leaders and activists and has turned the country into a police state,” he added.

The Bikalpa Dhara leader said the Awami League (AL) has no votes and so it wants to cling to power forcibly.

He also said they are positive about forming a greater alliance and are in touch with the BNP. “There will be more progress on this after the July 30 elections to three city corporations,” he added.

Abdul Malek Ratan, general secretary of the Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD),  said they are in favour of greater unity by dropping the Jamaat from the process. “We will not support any alliance that has Jamaat in it. If the BNP agrees, we will put some political conditions before the alliance comes into being,” he added.

He agreed that there should be a greater alliance to force the government to hold an acceptable election under a neutral administration.

 

 

 

 

BNP eyes greater alliance in Sept

A greater electoral alliance, led by the BNP, is likely to come into being sometime in September to compel the government to hold the next general election under a neutral administration, according to BNP sources. The format of the proposed alliance, accommodating political parties outside the two major political alliances has almost been finalised. Now, its a matter of time to formally float the alliance, said a senior BNP leader. The name of the alliance is likely to be Jatiya Oikya Front (National Unity Front). The announcement about the alliance is likely to be made in September, said the leader. The BNP leader, who wished not to be named, said along members of civil society will also be accommodated in the alliance to hold the next general election in a free and fair manner. Another BNP leader said that they are working on the directives of the party chairperson, Khaleda Zia, to forge a great political alliance ahead of the next general election. He expressed hope that an announcement in this regard would be made at an appropriate time. The BNP had boycotted the 2014 general election and has been demanding holding the next polls under a neutral government. When contacted, leaders of at least three political parties confirmed that BNP leaders have communicated with them on forging a greater political alliance. Many of them said they feel that there should be a greater political platform to put pressure on the government to hold the next polls under a neutral administration. Some of them, however, made it clear that they would not be a part of the proposed alliance with the Jamaat-Islami, a major allay of the BNP-led 20-Party Alliance, in it. BNP vice-chairman Shamsuzzaman Dudu said greater unity is needed to transform fascism into a democratic process by holding a free and fair election. All political parties realise that there will not be a free and fair election under the present government. So, they have either to take to the street from a single platform or from their own positions, he added. Dudu said the government would be bound to hold the election under a neutral administration if all the opposition parties reach a consensus on carrying out a movement and taking part in the polls unitedly. He also said they are working for such an alliance and formal talks among the respective parties will begin after a formal announcement in this regard. He further said being a major party, the BNP has more responsibility to communicate with other parties and it is doing just that. Replying to a question, Dudu said the announcement of such an alliance would be made at an appropriate time. Mahmudur Rahman Manna, convenor of Nagorik Oikya, said they are in touch with the BNP. The BNP has put forward a proposal to the political parties outside the two major alliances to form such an electoral alliance, but there is no significant progress to mention till now, he added. He, however, said they feel all political parties should take to the street together to put pressure on the government to hold the next elections under a neutral government. He alleged that the BNP wants to forge a greater unity, but it cannot handle the issue efficiently. We must take to the street. A coordinated movement can be launched. There will not be any change if we take part in the polls separately, he said. He thinks that the BNP would keep the Jamaat outside such an alliance. He also said they are yet to discuss the BNPs proposal inside the Jukta Front. He further said if there is a consensus on taking part in the next polls, they would seek a guarantee about the qualitative changes of the government. Abdur Rouf Mannan, joint secretary general of Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh, said considering the previling political situation in the country, there is no alternative to getting united. It will be tough to remove the government that carries out repression on political leaders and activists and has turned the country into a police state, he added. The Bikalpa Dhara leader said the Awami League (AL) has no votes and so it wants to cling to power forcibly. He also said they are positive about forming a greater alliance and are in touch with the BNP. There will be more progress on this after the July 30 elections to three city corporations, he added. Abdul Malek Ratan, general secretary of the Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD), said they are in favour of greater unity by dropping the Jamaat from the process. We will not support any alliance that has Jamaat in it. If the BNP agrees, we will put some political conditions before the alliance comes into being, he added. He agreed that there should be a greater alliance to force the government to hold an acceptable election under a neutral administration.