'National Unity Process' yet to finalise organisational structure

A unified structure of how the 'National Unity Process' initiated by noted jurist Kamal Hossain, would work with active engagement of all partners is yet to be worked out.

The Unity and its ally former president AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury's Jukto (United) Front, and the latest partner, principal opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) are together trying to emerge as a formidable alternative to the ruling camp, with their declared goal to ensur free and fair elections and change the country's political culture.

National Unity Process convenor Kamal Hossain, B Chowdhury and BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and some civil society leaders proclaimed their political unity at a rally in the city on Saturday with a call for restoration of democracy, rule of law and voting rights of people.

They announced programmes such as rallies across the country since 1 October, giving the Awami League government a 30 September deadline to form a poll-time govenment through talks between political parties.

However, leaders involved in the process think, they are yet to overcome the challenge of working out an organisational structure to bring ahead the National Unity Process to attain their goals. At the rally, the forum announced formation of some committees of the Unity all over the country.

Also, the leaders, who were playing the pioneering role in the process, have some issues with the major player -- Bangladesh Nationalist Party -- to be sorted out.

Kamal Hossain's Unity Process and B Chowdhury’s United Front are scheduled to hold exchange of views with professionals in Dhaka on 26 September. Some other intellectuals have also been invited to the meeting.

Gano Forum’s executive president and central leader of National Unity Process Subrata Chowhdury said they will decide on their next programme after the exchage of views with professional bodies.

Leaders, who are informed about the process, said the leaders concerned discussed issues like next course of action and giving a clear shape to their unity combining all parties, at a meeting at Kamal Hossain’s residence on Saturday.

They further discussed the ways of how to accommodate the BNP in greater national unity process, the leaders said.

One of them told Prothom Alo that the BNP's joining Saturday’s rally has sent a strong message to the mass people. "So holding of any meeting without the BNP from now on will also send a wrong signal," the leader said.

All along, the United Front and National Unity Process leaders have insisted on assurance from the BNP leadership about the major party's pledge to bring a balance in power structure, if they are voted to power, and some other matters.

A United Front leader also said, they will sit with BNP leaders soon and seek specific assurance about ensuring safety of all citizens, establishing democracy and good governance at all levels, and ensuring balance of power and efficient leadership in relevant positions.

A few sources also said there is a subtle cold war between the respective parties over the issue of leadership of the Unity Process, although the BNP side earlier made broad hint that they had no problem in accepting the leadership of Kamal Hossain.

Moreover, Left leaning parties such as Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal (BSD) and Left Democratic Alliance are yet to be formally included into the National Unity Process.

Only, Gano Sanghati Andolon leader Junaid Saki spoke at Saturday’s rally. He told Prothom Alo that they are yet to take a concrete decision as to whether to join the Unity Process.

The Unity leaders believe the left parties will soon join their movement to restore democracy and voting rights.

More than one leader of the Unity Process said every political party, except the ruling coalition, has the same view of the upcoming general elections.

The Unity leaders have vowed to move forward with their initiative despite some unsettled mattes and even differences that, they believe, could be resolved in course of time and through talks among themselves.

When contacted, United Front’s member secretary Mahmudur Rahman Manna said the National Inity has created much enthusiasm among the masses.

“We will be successful in our ongoing struggle to restore democracy and voting rights of people,” he expressed his confidence.