14-party decides to face BNP on the streets

The ruling Awami League-led 14-party alliance yesterday decided to face on the streets the BNP and like-minded parties who have waged a movement  to unseat the government.

The decision came at a meeting of the 14-party combine at its spokesperson Amir Hossain Amu's residence in the capital's Eskaton.

The allies will take to the streets under the alliance's and their own banners in support of the government from tomorrow.

For seven days in a row, the alliance will hold rallies, bring out processions and publicise the government's various development work and the BNP's "misdeeds".

Top leaders of the alliance opined that when the BNP and like-minded parties have taken to the streets to realise their one-point demand, they should not sit idle, said meeting sources.

Workers Party President Rashed Khan Menon said he heard from somewhere that Gonoforum President Dr Kamal Hossain said if the government sincerely handles the BNP, it will participate in the next national election.

Before the last national polls, a political alliance with opposition parties, including BNP, was floated under the leadership of Dr Kamal, but the  alliance was dissolved after the polls.

At the meeting, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal President Hasanul Haq Inu said during their recent visit to China, at the invitation of the Communist Party of China, the Chinese government assured them that China's support will be with incumbent Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the country also wants an election within the framework of the constitution.

A 12-member delegation, led by Rashed Khan Menon, returned home on Sunday after a weeklong visit. Inu and Samyabadi Dal General Secretary Dilip Barua were among the other delegation members.