BNP tries to forge alliance against militancy leaving Islamist Jamaat aside under pressure

The BNP is trying a new antigovernment alliance, keeping Islamist parties like Jamaat-e-Islami away, in its attempt to forge a national unity against militancy.

After the ruling Awami League rejected its call for the unity because of its ties with the Jamaat, Khaleda Zia’s party now has changed its position within a quickly changing Arab political landscape.

Several top leaders of the party have spoken to bdnews24.com about the new plan to bring the antigovernment political parties under an umbrella.

One of them, requesting anonymity, said Khaleda will invite the leaders of those parties outside the BNP-led 20-Party Alliance and Awami League-led 14-Party Coalition to tea.

He said the leaders of the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), Ganaforum, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD), Krishak Sramik Janata League and Bikalpadhara will get the call.

“The draft of the invitation letter is ready,” he said.

BNP Vice-Chairman Abdullah Al Noman said at a discussion on Monday, “We have taken step to forge national unity. Work is underway. We are contacting everyone beyond political views.”

The party thinks the government’s popularity has plummeted to its lowest point.

Its Standing Committee Member Nazrul Islam Khan said the situation was like that anyone challenging the Awami League in election will win now.

Many BNP leaders think the other antigovernment parties are yet to respond to their call for national unity due to its ties with Islamist parties like Jamaat, which opposed Bangladesh’s independence from Pakistan.

Some pro-BNP professionals have also suggested ditching Jamaat.

Barrister Rafiq-Ul Huq, Professor Emajuddin Ahamed and Ganasasthaya Kendra founder Zafrullah Chowdhury advised the BNP to take political parties other than Jamaat on board in the national unity initiative.

It is now clear from the comments of the BNP leaders that the party, under pressure for its ties with the Jamaat, is keeping the 20-Party Alliance ineffective, for now.

Standing Committee Member ASM Hannan Shah dropped a broad hint several days ago that the party would cut off its relations with the party led by convicted war criminals.

“If we find ourselves in any special situation in order to build the unity, we will surely think of a way to sort it out,” he said.

CPB President Mujahidul Islam Selim, however, ruled out any possibility of responding to BNP’s call for unity.

He said his party is not eager to join any alliance which includes ASM Rob-led JSD or Dr Kamal Hossain-led Ganaforum.

Badruddoza Chowdhury’s Bikalpadhara has been taking part in 20-Party Alliance programmes.

Kader Siddiqui of KSJL had also joined several BNP programmes in the past.

Ganaforum President Kamal Hossain has said his party will take a call after discussion if it gets BNP invitation.

Jamaat’s position on the matter was not available.

The BNP, reeling from failed movements to topple the government, is finding itself in a tight spot with cases against its leaders and activities.

It has recently held a national council but the fully fledged committee is yet to be announced.

No manoeuvres to rejuvenate the party is visible.

Many BNP leaders think it is an opportunity for the party to reignite antigovernment movement by portraying recent terror attacks as the government’s failure.