BNP secures backing of allies for Feb programmes

The BNP has secured the support of its allies from the 12-party alliance and Jamiat Ulama-e-Islam Bangladesh for its upcoming programmes demanding the general election be held this year.

The allies reached a consensus about the programmes during separate meetings with the BNP's liaison committee at the party chairperson's Gulshan office yesterday.

They will also protest against rising prices of essential commodities.

Leaders from the 12-party alliance and Jamiat Ulama-e-Islam assured the BNP of their full support to maintain pressure on the interim government to realise their demands.

Representatives from all the parties in the 12-party alliance and 10 leaders from Jamiat Ulama-e-Islam attended the meetings.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Standing Committee Member Nazrul Islam Khan were also present.

Sources from the meeting said that the alliance leaders agreed with the BNP on organising programmes for public engagement before Ramadan.

A leader from the 12-party alliance, who wished to remain anonymous, told The Daily Star that the alliance will pressure the government to hold elections this year.

During the meeting, leaders also criticised the government for its failure to control the rise in rice prices ahead of Ramadan and the worsening law and order situation.

They expressed concern over the government's lack of attention to arresting individuals accused in cases related to violence targeting the July-August movement.

According to BNP sources, the party plans to organise the programmes in Dhaka and other parts of the country this month.

After the meeting, Maulana Monjurul Islam Afendi, secretary general of Jamiat Ulama-e-Islam, told journalists, "We want the election to be held within this year after completing necessary reforms."

"We will move forward together," Afendi added.

According to meeting sources, the BNP aims to expand the alliance by involving other democratic, leftist, and Islamist parties.

Leaders from various parties at the meeting expressed positive opinions on this matter, supporting the initiative to strengthen the coalition and work collectively towards their shared goals.

Jamiat's Afendi said, "The country has not yet been freed from the conspiracies of the defeated fascists and their allies. We have collectively agreed, for justified reasons, that the unity of the patriotic people is crucial. This unity must be preserved at all costs."

During a press briefing, BNP's Nazrul said it was holding a series of discussions with other parties. "We discussed the socio-economic and political situation of the country and found common ground on many issues," he said.

About the election, he said, "A necessary period will certainly be needed for the election. However, we don't think it will take too long to complete the required reforms and hold the polls.

"We sought the fall of fascism to reinstate democracy in the country. We hope democracy will be restored through a free, fair, and inclusive election."

The 12-party alliance was led by Mostafa Jamal Haider, chairman of the breakaway Jatiya Party faction loyal to late politician Kazi Zafar, with other senior leaders in attendance. Another meeting was held with Jamiat Ulama-e-Islam leaders, including Senior Vice President Maulana Ubaidullah Farooq and Vice President Maulana Abdur Rab Yusufi, among others.