BNP-led alliance in trouble because of ‘unholy’ acts: Awami League leader

The Islamic Oikya Jote’s (IOJ) withdrawal from the BNP-led 20-Party Alliance is a result of ‘unholy’ acts, Awami League leader Mahabub-Ul Alam has said.

And not just alliance partners but even top BNP leaders were walking out because of ‘unholy’ activities, he said at a press conference held at Awami League President Sheikh Hasina’s political office in Dhaka’s Dhanmondi on Thursday.

The Awami League leader’s comment came within hours of IOJ Chairman Abdul Latif Nezami announcing his withdrawal from the BNP-led 20 Party Alliance.

Nezami made the announcement at an IOJ meet held at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh earlier in the day.

But soon after Nezami made his move public, IOJ Vice-Chairman Maulana Abdur Rakib said the party was still within the 20-Party Alliance.

Asked to comment on the development, Awami League Joint General Secretary Hanif said: “We cannot say why the IOJ left the alliance.

“But BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, together with the Jamaat-e-Islami, has forged the rise of terrorism and militancy in recent times. “They have burnt to death innocent people. It would only be natural if a party were to leave the alliance because of such ‘unholy’ activities.

Hanif claimed that senior BNP leaders were leaving the organisation, while allies also walked away.

Last year, the National People’s Party, led by Sheikh Shawkat Hossain Nilu, walked out of the BNP-led alliance.

Nilu, who formed a new front comprising 10 parties, alleged that the BNP and the Jamaat used to ‘impose’ their will on the other partners.

When asked about a political dialogue with opponent BNP, Hanif said the Awami League always favoured discussions but asked if there was any crisis in the country to warrant such talks.

“There is no crisis in the country. We said earlier that the crisis was really in Khaleda Zia’s mind.”

He said the BNP chief should seek medical advice to treat her ‘mental crisis’.

Before the press meet, Hanif had met leaders of the Bangladesh Chhatra League, a student body affiliated to the Awami League, on the anniversary of Father of the Nation Bangabandu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s return to Bangladesh.

He said the Chhatra League had demanded Khaleda Zia’s apology for doubting the number of Liberation War martyrs.

Several other Awami League leaders were present at the press conference.