BNP, other parties differ on 'one point'

The talks of formation of a greater political alliance between the BNP and the newly floated alliance of Jukta (United) Front are yet to produce concrete results due to certain differences of opinion over possible agenda of the movement, according to leaders concerned.

As the archrival of the ruling Awami League, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) wants to see the fall of the regime through popular demonstration and holding of free and fair elections in the country.

But, the main components of the Jukta Front and Gano Forum of eminent lawyer Kamal Hossain are in favour of 'overall qualitative changes' in the political system and culture, no matter whichever party comes to power through the elections.

The leaders, who are enthusiastic about formation of a greater alliance or forging a national unity, have to ready answers to a few questions that are critical for political alignment as well as for determining the country's next political course.

However, the BNP leaders maintain that they do not have any disagreement over the qualitative changes in politics. They just think such changes are impossible without removing first the current government form power through constitutional process.

The BNP's possible joining of an alliance with the Front and other smaller parties is hanging in balance at a time when the Jukta Front itself is yet to take a clear shape. Kamal Hossain's Gano Forum has said it will not join the Front but may be part of the national unity process.

Formation of an opposition alliance that can pose formidable challenges to the AL regime and the ruling party is still limited to discussions, and debates over terms and conditions of making alignhment.

A source in the BNP said apart from issues like exclusion of Jamaat-e-Islami from the BNP alliance and sharing seats with other parties in case of electoral contest, they are yet to reach consensus on objectives and goals of such an alliance.

Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh chief AQM Badroddoza Chowdhury and other leaders of Jukta Front have laid emphasis on balanced politics and balance in power structure in future governance.

Gano Forum’s executive president Subrata Chowdhury too said they are for a positive change in political culture, but not against a particular party.

BNP standing committee member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, however, pointed out that the AL's ouster from power and bringing a qualitative change in politics are inter-related issues.

“The people’s right to vote, good governance, democratic rights and independence of the judiciary are not ensured in the country. Freeing the country from an autocratic regime is a must to ensure these rights. We need to be united on those issues. Change in system and government is not any isolated matter. There should not be any disagreement over these issues,” Mosharraf added.

Convener of Nagorik Oikkya, another component of the Front, Mahmudur Rahman Manna said to Prothom Alo, “We've told them (BNP leaders) that our goal is not bringing one party to power by removing another. They must agree on the issue of changes we are talking about.”

He said Jukta Front and Gano Forum want radical changes in governance pattern in order to find answers to questions on corruption and terrorism.

Manna, however said, “No one wants a poll-time government consisting only of the Awami League. There is no disagreement over unity against such an autocratic regime.”

The Nagorik Oikkya leader also said they want balance of power so that the party coming to power after removal of the Awami League does not emerge as autocratic any longer.

BNP has already given the other parties 10 proposals on the basis of which a common ground could be created.

The BNP's position emphasises the demand for release of the party chairperson Khaleda Zia, apart from ensuring free and fair national elections in the country.

Manna, however, said he is yet to formally receive the BNP’s proposals.

Regarding the BNP’s demand for Khaleda Zia release as the first of the 10 points, Manna said, "Yes, it can be their number one priority when they talk as a party. But when the question of greater alliance arises, a national issue such as participatory election should come first."

Despite certain differences, the BNP's Mosharraf said the announcement of the formation of the alliance should be made within September.

The schedule for national elections is likely to be announced in October and the ballot is expected to be held in December.

BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir met the BNP chairperson on 25 August in abandoned jail, where the latter stressed the need for expediting the formation of greater national alliance along with cementing the unity of the 20-party alliance.

* This report, which has come out in Prothom Alo Bangla online, has been rewritten in English by Galib Ashraf