Ershad floats alliance based on Islamic values, Bangladeshi nationalism

Prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s special emissary Hussain Muhammad Ershad on Sunday floated a new political alliance called 'United National Alliance (UNA)', with “58 parties” based on the spirit of liberation war, Islamic values and Bangladeshi nationalism.

Also Jatiya Party chairman, HM Ershad announced the journey of the new alliance at a press conference at the National Press Club, reports UNB.

Ershad was named UNA chairman while his party secretary general Ruhul Amin Hawlader its chief spokesperson.

But, of the “58 parties”, only Jatiya Party and Bangladesh Islamic Front have registration with the election commission.

The 56 of other parties belong to two other platforms-- the 34-party 'National Islamic Grand Alliance and 22-party 'Bangladesh National Alliance'.

The ruling Awami League-led grand alliance consists of 14 parties while BNP-lead alliance has 20 parties.

"We [alliance] believe in the spirit of our liberation and the Islamic values with equal respect for other religions. We also uphold Bangladeshi nationalism," Ershad said.

The former military dictator said no anti-liberation force will be allowed to join the alliance.

"Our main goal is to form a government and participate in the national and all other elections under the banner of the alliance," the former military dictator said.

The Jatiya Party chief said Islamic values with equal respect for all religions, the Liberation War spirit and Bangladeshi nationalism are the basic principles of the UNA.

It is to be noted that Sheikh Hasina’s ruling Bangladesh Awami League claims it practices politics banking on four principles – Bengali nationalism, secularism, socialism and democracy.  

Ershad said their alliance wants to build a happy and prosperous Bangladesh by initiating a new phase of development and restoring good governance, peace, discipline and justice.

"The main aim of the alliance is to build a modern Bangladesh by ensuring the law rule of law and people's basic rights," Ershad added.

He claimed that two more parties having registration with the election commission have also decided to join the UNA.

Asked whether Jatiya Party is leaving the Awami League led 14-party alliance, he claimed, "Jatiya Party is no longer with the AL-led alliance."