NEXT GENERAL POLLS

AL eyes closer links with Islamist parties

The Awami League (AL) has been trying to keep warm relations with the country’s Islamist groups, keeping in mind the next general election slated for 2019.  The party faced severe criticism from different quarters recently for talks between AL president Sheikh Hasina and Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh chief Shah Ahmad Shafi. Moreover, the party has decided to include the Islamic Front Bangladesh, another Islamist group, in the AL-led 14-Party Alliance to strengthen the alliance ahead of the next parliamentary polls, party insiders said.
 The party insiders believe that the talks between Sheikh Hasina and top leaders of the Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh, or including any other pro-Liberation force in the alliance, is part of the AL's political strategy.
 There is nothing wrong in befriending a person or a group that has a vote-bank, they argued. They were also quick to add that the AL is a non-communal party.
 The Islamic Front Bangladesh is a political party registered with the Election Commission. Its chairman Syed Bahadur Shah Mojadadi and secretary general Allama Zainul Abedin Zubayer on May 13 met leaders of the 14-Party Alliance and expressed their intention to join the ruling bloc.
 Talking to this correspondent, Mohammad Nasim, AL presidium member and 14-Party Alliance coordinator, said: “We have heard them out. We will go through their party constitution and see whether they believe in the spirit of Liberation War and whether they can work with us. And only then will we take a decision on their inclusion in our alliance, after discussing the matter with party president Sheikh Hasina.”
 When contacted, Abdur Rahman, AL joint general secretary and MP, said: “We said earlier that those who have a vote-bank and who believe in the spirit of the Liberation War can join the alliance. The AL needs all, including the Hefazat-e-Islam, because of vote-bank politics. If we can tame our enemy through understanding, what is wrong with it? This is politics and this is part of the AL’s political strategy.”
 Sharif Nurul Ambia, chief of a JSD faction, told The Independent that the AL-led 14-Party Alliance has a plan to expand  the alliance ahead of the next polls. “I think this is a move to expand the alliance as per its political strategy,” he said.    
 On April 11, Sheikh Hasina held a meeting with leaders of the Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh at her official residence.
 At the meeting, she gave unconditional recognition to Qawmi madrasas and assured them that the statue of justice would be removed from the Supreme Court premises in keeping with the demand of various Islamic organisations, including the Hefazat.
After the talks, AL general secretary Obaidul Quader said that he does not see anything wrong with the meeting if the party benefits from the talks.
“There are some strategies and realities in politics. After the talks, Shah Ahmad Shafi made some excellent statements against terrorism and militancy at a programme in Bogra district. Is it not beneficial for our political strategy?” he added.

 

NEXT GENERAL POLLS

AL eyes closer links with Islamist parties

The Awami League (AL) has been trying to keep warm relations with the countrys Islamist groups, keeping in mind the next general election slated for 2019. The party faced severe criticism from different quarters recently for talks between AL president Sheikh Hasina and Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh chief Shah Ahmad Shafi. Moreover, the party has decided to include the Islamic Front Bangladesh, another Islamist group, in the AL-led 14-Party Alliance to strengthen the alliance ahead of the next parliamentary polls, party insiders said. The party insiders believe that the talks between Sheikh Hasina and top leaders of the Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh, or including any other pro-Liberation force in the alliance, is part of the ALs political strategy. There is nothing wrong in befriending a person or a group that has a vote-bank, they argued. They were also quick to add that the AL is a non-communal party. The Islamic Front Bangladesh is a political party registered with the Election Commission. Its chairman Syed Bahadur Shah Mojadadi and secretary general Allama Zainul Abedin Zubayer on May 13 met leaders of the 14-Party Alliance and expressed their intention to join the ruling bloc. Talking to this correspondent, Mohammad Nasim, AL presidium member and 14-Party Alliance coordinator, said: We have heard them out. We will go through their party constitution and see whether they believe in the spirit of Liberation War and whether they can work with us. And only then will we take a decision on their inclusion in our alliance, after discussing the matter with party president Sheikh Hasina. When contacted, Abdur Rahman, AL joint general secretary and MP, said: We said earlier that those who have a vote-bank and who believe in the spirit of the Liberation War can join the alliance. The AL needs all, including the Hefazat-e-Islam, because of vote-bank politics. If we can tame our enemy through understanding, what is wrong with it? This is politics and this is part of the ALs political strategy. Sharif Nurul Ambia, chief of a JSD faction, told The Independent that the AL-led 14-Party Alliance has a plan to expand the alliance ahead of the next polls. I think this is a move to expand the alliance as per its political strategy, he said. On April 11, Sheikh Hasina held a meeting with leaders of the Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh at her official residence. At the meeting, she gave unconditional recognition to Qawmi madrasas and assured them that the statue of justice would be removed from the Supreme Court premises in keeping with the demand of various Islamic organisations, including the Hefazat. After the talks, AL general secretary Obaidul Quader said that he does not see anything wrong with the meeting if the party benefits from the talks. There are some strategies and realities in politics. After the talks, Shah Ahmad Shafi made some excellent statements against terrorism and militancy at a programme in Bogra district. Is it not beneficial for our political strategy? he added.