AL on ally hunt for joint programmes

Some opposition political parties are now exploring the possibility of joint programmes, sources in the opposition hinted.

Still at a nascent stage, the move is now being strongly pursued by different opposition parties and it has already created a stir in the political arena, the sources added.

The main opposition Awami League is now approaching other opposition parties to launch joint programmes on specific issues on which all the parties share common views.

Initially, the AL had some luck too, as at least one party supported its January 16 hartal call.

Before giving a unilateral hartal call protesting the fuel price hike on January 9, the AL waited till the last moment to get a 'positive response' from other opposition parties that it had approached for giving a joint call for hartal.

It had approached components of the left-leaning 11-party alliance, the Jatiya Party factions - one led by HM Ershad and the other by Anwar Hossain Manju - and the two factions of the Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) - one led by Hasanul Haq Inu and the other by Nure Alam Ziku.

The JSD (Inu) gave support to AL's hartal call, while other parties also decided to give programmes on the same issue - the fuel price hike. Various components of the 11-party alliance, the Jatiya Party (Ershad) and the JSD (Inu) registered protests against the fuel price hike through separate programmes. Besides, as a joint programme of the alliance, the 11-party staged demonstrations across the country Wednesday denouncing the fuel price hike.

Commenting on the poor response that the AL got from other opposition parties on its move for a 'joint programme,' the party general secretary, Abdul Jalil told The Daily Star recently, "We've just initiated the move and have already got some positive response. Besides, they (other opposition parties) are also holding protest rallies on the same issue. We hope to get a more positive response from them in the days to come on the issues having a direct bearing on the common people of the country."

Talking to this correspondent on AL's move, Jatiya Party Chairman Anwar Hossain Manju said, "This is a good initiative on the part of the Awami League. But if the party (AL) wants joint movement programmes immediately, then some may join it, some may not. When the polls (next general elections) come nearer, positions and strategies of the parties will become clearer."

On giving support to AL's hartal call, JSD President Hasanul Haq Inu told this correspondent Monday last, " Our party would not enforce the hartal. We gave support to their (AL) hartal call. We believe that remaining truthful to respective policies and principles, any opposition party can join a united movement against any anti-people steps taken by the government."

On the question of AL's plea for chalking out joint programmes, 11-party leader and General Secretary of the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) Mujahidul Islam Selim told The Daily Star, "Though we've not given any joint programme along with the Awami League, we've announced a programme on the same issue (fuel price hike). We'll chalk out and implement programmes from our respective positions, maybe for the same causes."

Sources in the opposition camp gave an impression that there were differences of opinion within the 11-party alliance over calling joint programmes with the AL. While some components found no problem in launching joint programmes, others argued in favour of maintaining an 'independent line' by keeping the 11-party alliance away from the typical 'AL-BNP polarisation.'

Besides, AL's 'joint programme' move came at a time when the 11-party alliance had just stripped Dilip Barua of his position as coordinator of the alliance. Barua, also a leader of the Sammyabadi Dal, was removed from the coordinating post of the 11-party alliance for his recent China trip as a member of Prime Minister Khaleda Zia's entourage without the sanction of the alliance.

Meanwhile, in a separate move, the JSD (Inu) is frantically trying to initiate a 'National Dialogue' involving all political parties in the country with the objective of finding out some common views on important national issues.

The JSD (Inu) sent a letter to the ruling BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia a month back inviting the BNP to be involved in the 'National Dialogue' process.

When asked to comment on the latest development, JSD President Hasanul Haq Inu told The Daily Star on Monday last, "We have not got any response from her (Khaleda) yet. Recently, we shared our idea of having a 'National Dialogue' with the 11-party alliance. We'll soon explain it to the Awami League also."

Inu further said, "Our target is to involve as many parties as possible in the dialogue process and get some common views on crucial issues like terrorism, natural resources including oil and gas, rule of law, independent anti-corruption commission, ombudsman and empowering the local government system. In the process we may form a 'National Front' too to protect our national interests in the future."

An 11-party alliance leader, Arshad Hossain acknowledged having been briefed about the JSD-floated idea. Hossain, however, said, "Let them (JSD-Inu) give a mature concept of a national dialogue first, and then we'll see how we can contribute."