LDP to talk alliance with AL

Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) will hold talks with Awami League (AL) on November 7 as the latter plans to form a grand electoral alliance ahead of the parliamentary election to be held on December 18.
Jatiya Party (JP-Ershad) and Bikalpadhara Bangladesh will also hold similar talks with the AL soon, according to sources in the parties.
But no final decision on any issues including the most crucial one of sharing seats would be finalised until AL President Sheikh Hasina returns from abroad. The AL however wants to finish before her return the groundwork for the formation of a grand alliance, the sources said.
LDP President Col (retd) Oli Ahmed yesterday said, "We are still in the Awami League-led grand alliance formed earlier. There will be a meeting with that party on November 7. But nothing will be finalised until Sheikh Hasina returns home."
Addressing a meeting of the national executive committee of LDP at its Maghbazar central office in the capital, Oli claimed that it would not be possible for any party to assume power without the help of his party.
He urged AL leaders to give up the 'mentality of using LDP' to serve their own interests.
Without naming BNP, Oli, who was a standing committee member of that party, said door is open for them to join another coalition since a 'big party' is urging them to go to their camp for contesting the December 18 poll.
On the remarks against his party made by AL grassroots leaders in different areas including his constituency in Chittagong, the LDP chief said these threaten formation of a grand alliance.
He called upon the AL central leadership to act in a 'responsible way' and ensure that local level AL leaders refrain from speaking this way.
Oli instructed is party leaders to make all out preparations for the national election.
The LDP president alleged that the government has 'surrendered' to corrupt people due to unknown reasons, and made an accord to bring them to power. He asked his party men to resist all 'unhealthy deals' in a democratic way.
He demanded immediate lifting of the state of emergency to pave the way for a free and fair election. If the government commits any mistake in holding the election on time, the nation would have to pay heavily for this, he added.
The LDP president urged aspirants for party tickets to collect nomination forms from the party office from November 7 to 10 .
Oli said it would not be tough for his party to come out victorious in 40 to 50 constituencies.
LDP Executive President Sheikh Razzak Ali said they want long awaited changes in the country through meaningful reforms in every field including the administration and judiciary. He suggested formation of village courts to deal with litigations in rural areas since several lakh cases have been pending with different trial courts.
LDP Secretary General Jahanara Begum presented organisational report at the meeting claiming that committees of the party have been formed in 40 districts.
Party presidium members Alamgir Kabir, Redowan Ahmed, Abdul Karim and Syed Didar Bakth, among others, were present at the meeting.