Govt is trying to break 20-Party Alliance: BNP

The government is trying to break the 20-Party Alliance in an attempt to frustrate its planned agitation for fresh general election under a non-party dispensation, the BNP has alleged.

But it will nit be able to quell the movement, acting Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir warned at a discussion at the National Press Club on Thursday.

One of the BNP's allies, NAP Bhashani had snapped ties with the BNP-led alliance in March this year after the coalition boycotted the Jan 5 national elections.

Sheikh Shawkat Hossain Nilu-led National People’s Party (NPP) was recently expelled from the alliance for attending Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s Iftar.

Mirza Fakhrul claimed the Awami League had made similar attempts earlier. "Now they are trying to create divisions and recruit people from our camp."

"But this won't work, because people will not forget those who will betray the movement's cause," he said.

He again said that the ruling Awami League was trying to establish a one-party rule.

'Ashraf is lying'

The BNP spokesperson brushed off Awami League General Secretary Syed Ashraful Islam's remark that they speak on the phone from time to time.

It's a sheer lie, according to Fakhrul.

"I know Mr Ashraf as a gentleman. He recently has said that we talk every now and then. This is not right. He has lied."

Fakhrul said he did not speak to his Awami League counterpart since the Jan 5 polls.