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Alliance is fine: Khaleda
Despite several parties quitting the 20-party Alliance, BNP chief Khaleda Zia says all is well with the front led by her party.
Published : 23 Sept 2014, 06:26 PM
Updated : 23 Sept 2014, 06:26 PM
Speaking at a rally in Brahmanbaria on Tuesday, the BNP chairperson said, "Many are saying the alliance is crumbling. I'm telling you it won't break down. We are strong and we will remain strong."
On the same day, leaders of several alliance constituents met to announce the launching of the Nationalist Democratic Front (NDF) in Thursday - a new alliance, comprising 11 parties, led by Sheikh Shawkat Hossain Nilu.
Khaleda Zia said at the rally, "The 20-party Alliance leaders are patriots. They cannot side with traitors and agents."
"I believe alliance leaders need to be more unified to save the nation in these times of crisis."
BNP had expanded its initial Four-Party Alliance to an 18-Party Alliance during the previous term of the Awami League-led Grand Alliance government to boost its movement for a poll-time, non-partisan government.
The then comprised the BNP, Jamaat, Islami Oikya Jote, Khilafat Majlis, Bangladesh Jatiya Party (BJP), Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Kalyan Party, National Democratic Party (Jagpa), National People's Party (NPP), National Democratic party (NDP), Labour Party, Islamic Party, Bangladesh NAP, NAP Bhasani, Muslim League, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, People's League and Democratic League.
Later, Jatiya Party (Kazi Zafar) and Samyabadi Dal joined to make it a 20-party Alliance.
The NPP, led by Nilu, was expelled for joining an iftar hosted by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. NAP Bhasani left on its own accord.
Khaleda Zia reminded the people of Awami League's participation in then dictator HM Ershad's 'set-up' elections in 1986.
"Sheikh Hasina recently said everyone in her party can be bought but she can't."
"Ask her how much Ershad paid her back then."
She claimed the government was trying to 'scare' Jamaat because the party is with the BNP.
"They call Jamaat anti-liberation, militant and whatnot.
"But they had nothing to say against them, when the Awami League and Jamaat were together in the 1996 movement," she said.
"Was the Jamaat pro-liberation back then?" she asked.
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