BNP adamant on retaining Jamaat

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has no plan to snap ties with Jamaat-e-Islami, as it continues to ignore repeated calls from civil society members and intellectuals in this respect. On Thursday, members of the civil society and intellectuals told BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia either to cut off ties with the Jamaat or to ask the party to apologise before the nation for the role it played during the War of Liberation in 1971.
“The 20-Party Alliance isn't based on any ideology. It's been formed on the basis of electoral politics. That’s why the party sees no problem in having Jamaat in the anti-government coalition,” said a vice-president of the party, preferring anonymity.
He said forging national unity is now more important than dropping any party from the alliance. It is better to remain united to face the prevailing situation in the country, he added.
Another vice-president of the party said some of the party’s rank and file want to part company with the Jamaat, but they understand that the party has been accommodated in the alliance only for the sake of electoral politics. He also apprehended that if the BNP leaves the Jamaat in the wilderness, the ruling Awami League (AL) might tie up with the Islamic party to establish a formidable electoral alliance in the next polls.
BNP standing committee member Nazrul Islam Khan said the party chairperson would have the final say. “The party’s standing committee is the highest forum to discuss the matter and take a decision in this regard,” he added.
Another standing committee leader said the party chairperson would like to talk to senior leaders before taking any decision on the issue. But she has not yet spoken to them in this regard, he added.  The leader said if Jamaat is found to have any link with militancy, the government can take action against the party. He also said the party chairperson would take the final decision on whether to sever ties with the Jamaat after discussing the issue at the party forum.

BNP adamant on retaining Jamaat

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has no plan to snap ties with Jamaat-e-Islami, as it continues to ignore repeated calls from civil society members and intellectuals in this respect. On Thursday, members of the civil society and intellectuals told BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia either to cut off ties with the Jamaat or to ask the party to apologise before the nation for the role it played during the War of Liberation in 1971. The 20-Party Alliance isnt based on any ideology. Its been formed on the basis of electoral politics. Thats why the party sees no problem in having Jamaat in the anti-government coalition, said a vice-president of the party, preferring anonymity. He said forging national unity is now more important than dropping any party from the alliance. It is better to remain united to face the prevailing situation in the country, he added. Another vice-president of the party said some of the partys rank and file want to part company with the Jamaat, but they understand that the party has been accommodated in the alliance only for the sake of electoral politics. He also apprehended that if the BNP leaves the Jamaat in the wilderness, the ruling Awami League (AL) might tie up with the Islamic party to establish a formidable electoral alliance in the next polls. BNP standing committee member Nazrul Islam Khan said the party chairperson would have the final say. The partys standing committee is the highest forum to discuss the matter and take a decision in this regard, he added. Another standing committee leader said the party chairperson would like to talk to senior leaders before taking any decision on the issue. But she has not yet spoken to them in this regard, he added. The leader said if Jamaat is found to have any link with militancy, the government can take action against the party. He also said the party chairperson would take the final decision on whether to sever ties with the Jamaat after discussing the issue at the party forum.