Although the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is unlikely to form an alliance for future national parliament elections, this will leave some 80-100 seats for like-minded political parties.
Concessions could be given to those parties that simultaneously participated in the upsurge against fascist Sheikh Hasina upon seeking coordination from the party in this regard.
If the newly formed National Citizen Party (NCP) wants to form a strategic alliance, BNP will leave these seats for them, and work has begun at the party's top level in this regard.
A top leader from the party confirmed this matter to Bangladesh Pratidin, saying that the BNP acting chairperson Tarique Rahman is preparing a list of possible candidates for the upcoming national election.
It is learned that BNP is set to decide after discussing with political parties that participated in the movement against the Awami fascist government, including most of its defunct 20-party alliance. And the discussion is also underway on the distribution of seats.
Among them, BNP is in talks with leaders of all levels of parties, including LDC, Democracy Forum, Jatiya Party (Zafar), Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD), 12-Party Alliance, Nagorik Oikya, BJP, Gono Odhikar Parishad, Gano Forum, Ganosanhati Andolan, and various Islamic and Leftist parties.
BNP wants the people’s representatives to be elected through a free, fair, and impartial national parliament election based on the participation of all parties. The party's ultimate goal is to form a government based on national consensus with representatives of all parties and build a beautiful and prosperous Bangladesh by reforming the state together.
Keeping this goal in mind, it proposed 31-point reforms in discussions with like-minded parties two years ago.
Denying the possibility of new alliances before the election, BNP national standing committee member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy said, “An agreement can be made with the parties that have simultaneously protested, demanding the fall of the Awami League government.”
“Apart from this, an election-centric alliance can be formed with other right-wing and left-wing parties. This will become clear in due course,” he continued.
He also highlighted that the party is adamant on its demand for parliamentary elections by December and mentioned that the party is also getting support from like-minded political parties.
“Now, with the support of left and right-wing political parties, BNP wants to create a big platform,” he continued. “In a meeting with BNP on April 6, Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh agreed with the demand.”
Formal and informal meetings are being held with other parties. In these meetings, the demand for elections by December is gaining strength and the issue of forming a political consensus on this issue is being given the highest priority. More programs will be held soon to realize this demand.
A top leader of BNP, wishing to be unnamed, said that many leaders have shared their opinion on meeting the chief adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus before deciding on the program.
BNP standing committee member Salahuddin Ahmed told Bangladesh Pratidin that they are scheduled to meet and discuss with the chief adviser on several issues, including the demand for an election by December and a quick roadmap for this purpose.
In this meeting, they will formally ask for the government's stance on elections by December and a quick roadmap. If the expected announcement is not made, the next action plan will be taken through discussions with other political parties.
“There is no final word in politics. Time will disclose whether there will be an alliance or seat deal,” said BNP joint secretary general Shahid Uddin Chowdhury. “Our acting chairman Tarique Rahman has announced the formation of a national consensus government after the elections with all those who simultaneously participated in the movement to overthrow the fascist Awami government, if the people's verdict is received.”
“That government will come and work to repair the state. That is how the process is going on,” he continued.
Bd-Pratidin English/ AM
