BNP turns to like-minded parties to stage protests

BNP, the main opposition in parliament, has taken an initiative to build a greater unity among political parties and personalities traditionally known as having doubts about India's good will towards Bangladesh.
The unity is sought to protest the treaties and memorandums of understanding (MoUs) Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina signed with India during her recent visit there, according to party insiders.
BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, also leader of the opposition, is likely to make a formal appeal to prospective allies on Saturday to that effect.
She is scheduled to address a media briefing on the day to make public her formal reaction to the outcome of the prime minister's visit to India.
She is also expected to announce some protest programmes like demonstrations including rallies and human chains at the briefing, demanding cancellation of the signed treaties and MoUs, which her party thinks do not protect the country's interest.
A number of party leaders said they are even planning to return to the House to build a greater movement in and outside the parliament.
Standing Committee Member Lt Gen (retd) Mahbubur Rahman told The Daily Star last evening that they reject the joint communiqué of Bangladesh and India after thorough discussion on it in the committee.
The chairperson will clear the party's position on the bilateral deals and might also announce the protest programmes, he said adding that the people of the country have got nothing other than added frustrations from the premier's visit to India.
Other party insiders said as a part of the initiative to form the greater alliance, a pro-BNP intellectual already talked to well known left leaning politicians, and that a number of senior BNP leaders and allied intellectuals will talk to many other such organisations and personalities in a bid to bring them to a common platform, which would be led by BNP.
BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir told The Daily Star that they intend to create a national consensus to protect the country's greater interest.
"The chairperson in her address will give the nation a direction, and we will work to implement that by taking all into confidence," he said.