Jukta Front moves to reduce gap with BNP

The three-party Jukta (United) Front, led by Dr Badruddoza Chowdhury, has taken an initiative to iron out differences with the BNP over the Jamaat issue and take forward the unity process as part of the next course of political of action and participation in the next general election.

Jukta Front leaders, who had strong reservations about Jamaat-e-Islami that opposed the War of Liberation in 1971, now say that the existence of the Islamist party in the fold of the BNP-led 20-Party Alliance will not be a factor in forging greater national unity with the BNP.

“The Jukta Front will forge unity with the BNP, not the 20-Party Alliance. So, we're not interested in probing whether the BNP keeps the Jamaat in the 20-Party Alliance,” said one of the leaders.

The leaders say they are now emphasising the need to continue talks with the BNP and reach an agreement to ensure balance of power.

The Jukta Front at a meeting on Tuesday entrusted the responsibility to Nagorik Okiya convenor Mahmudur Rahman Manna to negotiate with the BNP to resolve the differences between them, especially on the Jamaat issue, formulate the demands, and determine a common course of action.

The BNP welcomed the Jukta Front's decision to continue talks to take forward the issue of launching a united movement.

The move by Dr Kamal Hossain to forge greater unity has run into difficulties as Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh leaders continue to insist that the BNP dump its major ally, Jamaat, from the 20-Party Alliance.

The remarks of Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh leaders have annoyed the BNP, straining the relations between the BNP and Jukta Front.

Some of the Jukta Front leaders, however, explained that it was the stand of some of the Bikalpa Dhara leaders and not of the Jukta Front.

Greater national unity, comprising the BNP and like-minded parties, is far from taking shape. The reason: lack of understanding among the parties and groups. For this, the parties are carrying out programmes on their own for the time being, say sources.

Jatiya Oikya Prokriya (National Unity Process), the move for forging greater national unity, announced a five-point charter of demands at a citizens' rally on September 22. But it could not form its planned liaison committee due to differences over the presence of the Jamaat-e-Islami in the fold of the BNP-led 20-Party Alliance, said the sources.

Many leaders observed that Jamaat, a major partner of the BNP, has emerged as an obstacle to forging unity with other political parties.

On September 25, Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh (BDB) joint secretary General Mahi B Chowdhury at a press conference demanded that the BNP should not be included in the national unity process if it does not remove the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami from the 20-Party Alliance.

Earlier, BDB president Prof. AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury had asked other parties involved in the unity process not to share the stage with the BNP if it doez not severe its relations with Jamaat.

When contacted, Nagorik Oikya leader Mahmudur Rahman Manna said he would continue talks with the BNP to remove differences among them and also discuss with that party about their common programmes.

The BNP, Jukta Front and the National Unity Process placed their own demands and statements on forging greater nationbal unity. “Now, we have to continue the talks to compile our demands and statements on common issues,” said Manna.

Jukta Front will highlight the need to ensure balance of power as it does not want to bring another autocrat by removing one, he added.

“We will hear the BNP regarding how it;s going to ensure balance of power. We will also give our statement on the issue,” he noted.

Besides, he said, during his talks with the BNP and the National Unity Process, they would share their ideas and finalise a total plan of action concerning the proposed unity.

Abdul Malek Ratan, general secretary of the Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (Rab), an ally of the Jukta Front, said Manna has been given the responsibility of removing the gap between the BNP and the Jukta Front and get a clear view of the BNP’s position on ensuring balance of power.

After finalising the proposals of the two sides over balance of power in writing, it would be made public, Ratan added.

Regarding Jamaat, Ratan said it is not their headache as to who would be in the fold of the 20-Party Alliance, as they would forge unity with the BNP and not with that alliance.

He also said it would not be proper to advise the BNP on the choice of its partner in the 20-Party Alliance.

BNP vice chairman Shamsuzzaman Dudu said if the Jukta Front assigns someone to continue talks with the BNP over movement and the elections, it would always be welcome.

He, however, said the statements and demands of the BNP, Jukta Front and National Unity Process are almost similar in nature. This shows that they are already moving towards the same destination. “It will be good if we all can get together and go for a united movement. We must approach the elections from a common platform. Otherwise, we can carry forward our movement on common issues from our own platform,” he added.

He hoped that the differences of opinion between the political parties and groups would be removed through talks.

The BNP leader also said if the Jukta Front wants to talk to the BNP, the party will certainly engage a leader to carry forward the move.

Meanwhile, the BNP, Jukta Front, National Unity Process are carrying out separate programme to drum up support in favour of their demands for holding the next national polls, which are likely to be held later this year, under a neutral administration.

Jukta Front moves to reduce gap with BNP

The three-party Jukta (United) Front, led by Dr Badruddoza Chowdhury, has taken an initiative to iron out differences with the BNP over the Jamaat issue and take forward the unity process as part of the next course of political of action and participation in the next general election. Jukta Front leaders, who had strong reservations about Jamaat-e-Islami that opposed the War of Liberation in 1971, now say that the existence of the Islamist party in the fold of the BNP-led 20-Party Alliance will not be a factor in forging greater national unity with the BNP. The Jukta Front will forge unity with the BNP, not the 20-Party Alliance. So, were not interested in probing whether the BNP keeps the Jamaat in the 20-Party Alliance, said one of the leaders. The leaders say they are now emphasising the need to continue talks with the BNP and reach an agreement to ensure balance of power. The Jukta Front at a meeting on Tuesday entrusted the responsibility to Nagorik Okiya convenor Mahmudur Rahman Manna to negotiate with the BNP to resolve the differences between them, especially on the Jamaat issue, formulate the demands, and determine a common course of action. The BNP welcomed the Jukta Fronts decision to continue talks to take forward the issue of launching a united movement. The move by Dr Kamal Hossain to forge greater unity has run into difficulties as Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh leaders continue to insist that the BNP dump its major ally, Jamaat, from the 20-Party Alliance. The remarks of Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh leaders have annoyed the BNP, straining the relations between the BNP and Jukta Front. Some of the Jukta Front leaders, however, explained that it was the stand of some of the Bikalpa Dhara leaders and not of the Jukta Front. Greater national unity, comprising the BNP and like-minded parties, is far from taking shape. The reason: lack of understanding among the parties and groups. For this, the parties are carrying out programmes on their own for the time being, say sources. Jatiya Oikya Prokriya (National Unity Process), the move for forging greater national unity, announced a five-point charter of demands at a citizens rally on September 22. But it could not form its planned liaison committee due to differences over the presence of the Jamaat-e-Islami in the fold of the BNP-led 20-Party Alliance, said the sources. Many leaders observed that Jamaat, a major partner of the BNP, has emerged as an obstacle to forging unity with other political parties. On September 25, Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh (BDB) joint secretary General Mahi B Chowdhury at a press conference demanded that the BNP should not be included in the national unity process if it does not remove the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami from the 20-Party Alliance. Earlier, BDB president Prof. AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury had asked other parties involved in the unity process not to share the stage with the BNP if it doez not severe its relations with Jamaat. When contacted, Nagorik Oikya leader Mahmudur Rahman Manna said he would continue talks with the BNP to remove differences among them and also discuss with that party about their common programmes. The BNP, Jukta Front and the National Unity Process placed their own demands and statements on forging greater nationbal unity. Now, we have to continue the talks to compile our demands and statements on common issues, said Manna. Jukta Front will highlight the need to ensure balance of power as it does not want to bring another autocrat by removing one, he added. We will hear the BNP regarding how it;s going to ensure balance of power. We will also give our statement on the issue, he noted. Besides, he said, during his talks with the BNP and the National Unity Process, they would share their ideas and finalise a total plan of action concerning the proposed unity. Abdul Malek Ratan, general secretary of the Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (Rab), an ally of the Jukta Front, said Manna has been given the responsibility of removing the gap between the BNP and the Jukta Front and get a clear view of the BNPs position on ensuring balance of power. After finalising the proposals of the two sides over balance of power in writing, it would be made public, Ratan added. Regarding Jamaat, Ratan said it is not their headache as to who would be in the fold of the 20-Party Alliance, as they would forge unity with the BNP and not with that alliance. He also said it would not be proper to advise the BNP on the choice of its partner in the 20-Party Alliance. BNP vice chairman Shamsuzzaman Dudu said if the Jukta Front assigns someone to continue talks with the BNP over movement and the elections, it would always be welcome. He, however, said the statements and demands of the BNP, Jukta Front and National Unity Process are almost similar in nature. This shows that they are already moving towards the same destination. It will be good if we all can get together and go for a united movement. We must approach the elections from a common platform. Otherwise, we can carry forward our movement on common issues from our own platform, he added. He hoped that the differences of opinion between the political parties and groups would be removed through talks. The BNP leader also said if the Jukta Front wants to talk to the BNP, the party will certainly engage a leader to carry forward the move. Meanwhile, the BNP, Jukta Front, National Unity Process are carrying out separate programme to drum up support in favour of their demands for holding the next national polls, which are likely to be held later this year, under a neutral administration.