UNB, Dhaka :
Khaleda Zia’s Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) which wants to gradually turn its anti-government campaign into a fierce oust-regime one appears to receive a severe blow as infighting in her party-led alliance keeps on simmering over various crucial issues.
The issues that have made the small partners of the 20-party alliance
aggrieved include BNP’s neglecting attitude towards the small partners, its arbitrary decisions in working out action strategies and programmes, lack of coordination, BNP’s failure in its previous anti-government movement and frustration over the slow pace in the ongoing movement.
Amid the growing displeasure among its Islamic parties over the inclusion of a faction of leftist party, Samyabadi Dal, in the alliance, BNP senior vice chairman Tarique Rahman’s recent comment that political party should not be based on religion added fuel to their discontent.
A faction of NAP Bhasani, and National People’s Party, Bangladesh Kalyan Party and Muslim League have already quit the 20-party alliance.
Sheikh Shawkat Hossain Nilu deserted the alliance sharply criticizing BNP high-ups for what he said their wrong strategies in the last year’ s anti-government movement, especially for not participating in the January 5 election.
Several leaders of the component in the BNP-led alliance said the government has already contacted them in a bid to take them out of the opposition camp and bring them into its own fold with ‘lucrative offers’.
A number of leaders in the 20-party alliance said they are fed-up with the way BNP is handling the anti-government movement now.
BNP, however, claims the government is out there in its efforts to create a rift among the top alliance leaders so that the opposition cannot remain united to wage a tougher anti-government movement.
Contacted, BNP acting BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir who is also the coordinator of the 20-party alliance claimed there is no division or misunderstanding among their partners.
“The government has long been trying to split our alliance. They could confuse Sheikh Shawkat Hossain Nilu, but not his party. We believe the ruling party won’t be able to misguide our any other alliance partners. We’re in good terms,” he said.
Recognizing that there is some sort of displeasure among some 20-party alliance leaders, Islamic Party chairman Abdul Mobin said all the partners should be treated with equal importance to keep the coalition meaningful. “As we’re in the same boat, BNP shouldn’t neglect any of its partners,” he said disapproving Tarique’s remark that political party should not be based on religion.”
Islami Oikya Jote chairman Abdul Latif Nezami said Tarique’s comment is not right as people here are religious minded and they have respect for Islamic parties. “Such comment by an alliance top leader embarrasses us.”
Central Jamaat-e-Islami leader Dr Ridwanullah Shahidi said they do not buy Tarique’s assertion as they consider their party activities as ‘religious rituals’.
Labour party chairman Mostafizur Rahman also finds various reasons- lack of coordination and neglecting attitude – that are drilling hole in the opposition alliance.
He claimed the new BNP Dhaka city unit committee did not communicate with alliance partners since its formation. “The government is trying to allure our partners to quit the alliance. As the key partner, BNP should play its due role in protecting the alliance.”
Liberal Democratic Party joint secretary general Shahadat Hossain Selim said BNP should come out of its hegemony and try to keep up the spirit of the small partners. “Khaleda should form a core group of the alliance so that she can take any important decisions in consultation with them.”
Asked about the alliance partners’ allegations, Fakhrul simply trashed those and said, “As political parties among the alliance members, it’s only the BNP that commends the real popularity and strength. Even then, we treat all our partners equally and honour their opinions while taking decisions.”
About Tarique’s remark about Islamic parties, the BNP spokesman claimed his comment is being misinterpreted. “What our leader tried to say is that we don’t do politics based on religion. But we believe in religious values and have respect for every religion.”
Echoing Fakhrul, BNP standing committee member Lt Gen (retd) Mahbur Rahman said they have very good relations with their coalition partners and it will remain intact thwarting all plots.
Khaleda Zia’s Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) which wants to gradually turn its anti-government campaign into a fierce oust-regime one appears to receive a severe blow as infighting in her party-led alliance keeps on simmering over various crucial issues.
The issues that have made the small partners of the 20-party alliance
aggrieved include BNP’s neglecting attitude towards the small partners, its arbitrary decisions in working out action strategies and programmes, lack of coordination, BNP’s failure in its previous anti-government movement and frustration over the slow pace in the ongoing movement.
Amid the growing displeasure among its Islamic parties over the inclusion of a faction of leftist party, Samyabadi Dal, in the alliance, BNP senior vice chairman Tarique Rahman’s recent comment that political party should not be based on religion added fuel to their discontent.
A faction of NAP Bhasani, and National People’s Party, Bangladesh Kalyan Party and Muslim League have already quit the 20-party alliance.
Sheikh Shawkat Hossain Nilu deserted the alliance sharply criticizing BNP high-ups for what he said their wrong strategies in the last year’ s anti-government movement, especially for not participating in the January 5 election.
Several leaders of the component in the BNP-led alliance said the government has already contacted them in a bid to take them out of the opposition camp and bring them into its own fold with ‘lucrative offers’.
A number of leaders in the 20-party alliance said they are fed-up with the way BNP is handling the anti-government movement now.
BNP, however, claims the government is out there in its efforts to create a rift among the top alliance leaders so that the opposition cannot remain united to wage a tougher anti-government movement.
Contacted, BNP acting BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir who is also the coordinator of the 20-party alliance claimed there is no division or misunderstanding among their partners.
“The government has long been trying to split our alliance. They could confuse Sheikh Shawkat Hossain Nilu, but not his party. We believe the ruling party won’t be able to misguide our any other alliance partners. We’re in good terms,” he said.
Recognizing that there is some sort of displeasure among some 20-party alliance leaders, Islamic Party chairman Abdul Mobin said all the partners should be treated with equal importance to keep the coalition meaningful. “As we’re in the same boat, BNP shouldn’t neglect any of its partners,” he said disapproving Tarique’s remark that political party should not be based on religion.”
Islami Oikya Jote chairman Abdul Latif Nezami said Tarique’s comment is not right as people here are religious minded and they have respect for Islamic parties. “Such comment by an alliance top leader embarrasses us.”
Central Jamaat-e-Islami leader Dr Ridwanullah Shahidi said they do not buy Tarique’s assertion as they consider their party activities as ‘religious rituals’.
Labour party chairman Mostafizur Rahman also finds various reasons- lack of coordination and neglecting attitude – that are drilling hole in the opposition alliance.
He claimed the new BNP Dhaka city unit committee did not communicate with alliance partners since its formation. “The government is trying to allure our partners to quit the alliance. As the key partner, BNP should play its due role in protecting the alliance.”
Liberal Democratic Party joint secretary general Shahadat Hossain Selim said BNP should come out of its hegemony and try to keep up the spirit of the small partners. “Khaleda should form a core group of the alliance so that she can take any important decisions in consultation with them.”
Asked about the alliance partners’ allegations, Fakhrul simply trashed those and said, “As political parties among the alliance members, it’s only the BNP that commends the real popularity and strength. Even then, we treat all our partners equally and honour their opinions while taking decisions.”
About Tarique’s remark about Islamic parties, the BNP spokesman claimed his comment is being misinterpreted. “What our leader tried to say is that we don’t do politics based on religion. But we believe in religious values and have respect for every religion.”
Echoing Fakhrul, BNP standing committee member Lt Gen (retd) Mahbur Rahman said they have very good relations with their coalition partners and it will remain intact thwarting all plots.
