Pre-polls greater opposition alliance in the offing?

A greater unity of the opposition political parties including the BNP may be forged, through a Dhaka rally schedueld to be held on Saturday, political observers say.

If it takes shape ultimately, they believe, the 'National Unity Process' proclaimed by international reputed lawyer and Gano Forum chief Kamal Hossain will be a major determining political force ahead of the 11th parliament elections expected later this year.

AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury-led Jukta Front (United Front) and Kamal Hossain-led Jatiya Oikya Prokriya (National Unity Process) have planned to hold the rally at Mohanagar Natya Mancha at 3:00pm Saturday.

Although the government has given permission for holding the rally at the last moment, ruling Bangladesh Awami League remains vigilant about the rally and possible outcome of it.

Leaders of the Jukta Front and the Jatiya Oikya Prokriya say they may announce at the rally coordinated programmes demanding a neutral and acceptable election.

“The main crisis of the country today is lack of atmosphere to hold an acceptable and participatory election and we have planned the rally to ensure it,” Gano Forum executive president Subrata Chowhdury told Prothom Alo.

He added, without the restoration of the voting right of the people, the country cannot advance as democracy is no longer there.

Leaders of different political parties including BNP, except Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, and also members of the civil society and professional bodies have been invited to the rally.

It is expected that a huge number of activists of the BNP and several left-leaning parties will attend the rally. Jukta Front convener AQM Badrudozza Chowdhury is scheduled to join the rally as the main speaker, after his absence at the programme where Kamal Hossain announced the National Unity Process.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has been trying for long to forge a greater unity.

Badruddoza Chowdhury floated Jukta Front and called on others to join his initiative. Kamal Hossain was insisting on national unity and eventually proclaimed the Jatiya Oikya Prokriya.

BNP insiders said they would participate in the rally. It is yet to be ascertained whether BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir alone or a delegation will join the rally.

The Awami League is keeping watch on the ‘greater unity process’. Party insiders informally said they are worried over the presence of leaders and activists of BNP and left-leaning parties at the rally.

The ruling party is continuing activities secretly so that a large number of parties do not join the rally while the presence of leaders and activists is thin, said sources in the AL.
AL policymakers said they are keeping an eye on the participation of the BNP leaders and activists at the rally.

If the large number of BNP leaders and activists turn up, they will be identified and pressure will be created accordingly, the AL leaders said.

Speaking to Prothom Alo, a central AL leader said Kamal Hossain has been trying to forge ‘national unity or greater unity’, but he has not been successful.

However, an AL leader said, forging a greater unity has now come to the fore as BNP and some left-leaning parties are likely to join it. "It's a concern for the Awami League if the rally becomes successful."

The AL leader pointed out that their party was telling people that the BNP is 'communal and violent force' but if Kamal Hossain and the left-leaning parties forge alliance with the BNP, the public face of the BNP would change.

Publicly, at a party programme on Thursday, AL general secretary Obaidul Quader said if such unity is forged between some parties and leaders, it has no impact on the people.