Ershad launches Jatiya Party-led alliance

The Jatiya Party has floated a new political coalition styled the 'United National Alliance.'

Staff Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 7 May 2017, 07:21 AM
Updated : 7 May 2017, 10:35 AM

Its chief HM Ershad made the announcement at a media briefing on Sunday.

"Only those who believe in the spirit of liberation and Islamic values will be able to join this alliance.

"There is no place for anti-liberation quarters," said the former military dictator.

The Jatiya Party took part in the 2008 national election as a partner in the Awami League-led Grand Alliance.

It, however, contested separately in the 2014 polls and is now the opposition in the House. But it has a stake in the government with a minister and two state ministers.

Ershad is now a special envoy to the prime minister while his wife Raushon Ershad, the party's senior co-chairman, is leader of the opposition.

>>The coalition initially consists of the Islamic Front, a party registered with the Election Commission, the 34-party 'National Islamic Grand Alliance'  which was launched a month ago, and the 31-party 'Bangladesh National  Alliance', launched in 2015 by former BNP stalwart Nazmul Huda, who was later ousted from it. 

 >>The Jatiya Party (JP) chief said the new alliance is based on 'three core   principles.'

                   1. Islamic value which has equal respect for all faiths;

                   2. Spirit of liberation;

                   3. Bangladeshi nationalism;

 >>JP Chairman Ershad will be the head of the alliance. Secretary-generals of fraternal parties will act as spokespersons while JP Secretary General Ruhul Amin Hawlader will be the chief spokesperson.

>>According to Ershad, these parties will take part in the next national election as a coalition.

"We are announcing this alliance for the sake of the nation and to build a modern Bangladesh," said the PM's special envoy.

He claimed of 'a series of meetings' with two more parties, who are registered with the election commission, without disclosing their names. "They have given an initial nod to join the coalition."