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Are the two major political parties are letting go their bedrock ideological stands and scrambling for new friends as the country’s most talked about general election looms in the horizon? Leaders of the divide confronted by The Daily Messenger (TDM) did not reject such a development as it is visible that their olive branch are being offered to those who are on the opposite as far basic ideology is concerned.
The general election slated for January, 2024, has in recent months saw a war of words and public events to reach out to the people understand their respective stands. There has been sporadic violence during such programmes.The two are at loggerheads over who will head the election-time government.
The TDM finding brought forth the fact that the governing Awami League (AL) is reaching out to some right-wing political parties, while its arch-rival, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), is seeking friends among the left political parties.
Insiders from AL believe that left political parties, who share the spirit of the 1971 Independence War, will stand by them even in difficult times. To further strengthen their position, the ruling party is also maintaining connections with the country's rightwing Islamist parties as they have impressive vote banks after it made friends with Hefazat Islam some years back.
On the other hand, BNP insiders feel that the upcoming general election is crucial for the country and its people, and are trying to make alliances with political parties that oppose the misrule of the Sheikh Hasina government.
The Awami League's recent efforts to court Islamist groups have caused concern among its left-leaning allies who believe that such a move threatens the founding principles of the 14-party alliance.
In response, the Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) faction president, Hasanul Haq Inu, confirmed that his party remains committed to the 14-party alliance and will participate in the upcoming general elections under its banner, but subject to one condition – stay away from Islamist groups.
Inu added that they have already submitted a set of proposals to Awami League leader and 14-party coordinator Amir Hossain Amu, which includes a demand to sever all ties with Islamist groups. According to Inu, the 14-party alliance is a platform for pro-liberation forces and operates based on a set of core principles, which cannot be compromised.
When asked about the current relationship with the ruling Awami League, another alliance leader, Rashed Khan Menon, President of the Workers Party of Bangladesh, told The Daily Messenger that the relationship between the Awami League and his party is unchanged. According to some left-leaning partners, the Awami League has strayed from the promises made in the 31-point reform programmess of the 14-party alliance, adopted on July 15, 2005, and the 23-point minimum common programmes, adopted on November 22 of the same year. These programmes had a secular and democratic government at their core.
In the lead up to the 2018 national polls, Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh joined the Grand Alliance, and its candidates contested the election under the "boat" symbol. However, as the general election approaches early next year, the Awami League has started reaching out to political parties outside the 14-party alliance. This includes the Kader Siddique-led Krishak Sramik Janata League, with whom the Awami League has initiated talks.
Talking about the current stance over the issue, BNP joint secretary Moyazzem Hossain Alal told The Daily Messenger that his rightwing party will welcome those who come forward in its fight to restore democracy, regardless of their political affiliations. “We will maintain our own identity. There is no risk of being intimidated or driven away from anyone here,” he said.
BNP leader accused the ruling Awami League of wrongly labeling the party as a right-wing political entity by employing lobbyists. He emphasized that the BNP is a platform that welcomes free-thinking individuals from all backgrounds.
He further noted that BNP has overcome the misconception that it is only a platform for Islamist groups. He pointed out that many left-leaning political parties have recently extended their support and joined BNP's anti-government political programs.
When contacted BNP vice chairman Shamsuzzaman Dudu said the meaning of progressive is a free mind, free thinking, and free thought. This government is shutting down newspapers, which is outside of progressivism. It is violating the rights of political parties, which is outside of progressivism. It has taken away people's fundamental rights, including their voting rights, which is outside of progressivism. BNP is at the forefront of the fight for progressivism. In other words, BNP wants to restore democracy. It wants to get out of this socialist rule.
However, it is essential to note that the BNP has been facing criticism for its association with Islamist groups in the past.
TDM/SNE
