Jatiya Party must be held accountable for colluding with Awami League regime: Labour Party

They accuse Jatiya Party of being complicit with the Awami League in controversial elections

The Bangladesh Labour Party has demanded that the Jatiya Party be brought to account, labelling it a “collaborator” of the ousted Awami League government.

Party Chairman Mustafizur Rahman Iran made the call on Saturday after a dialogue with the National Consensus Commission at the LD Hall of the National Parliament.

Iran referred to Jatiya Party as a key ally of the Awami League in the “rigged” elections of 2014, 2018, and 2024, suggesting that the party's involvement played a major role in the outcome of those elections.

"We demand a ban on the Awami League in Bangladesh, just as the Nazi Party has been banned in Germany. The Jatiya Party is equally guilty,” he said.

“The elections of 2014, 2018, and 2024 were made possible by the alliance between the Awami League and its collaborators, including Jatiya Party," he added.

He also criticised attempts to bring Sheikh Hasina back into power, saying that such efforts were dangerous for the state.

"The Awami League has no right to engage in politics in Bangladesh," Iran said, drawing a comparison to the Nazi Party's absence of political rights.

Following the mass uprising in July-August 2024, the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government was formed to implement extensive state reforms.

A total of 11 reform commissions were established, focusing on constitutional, electoral, judicial, administrative, anti-corruption, and police reforms. Six of these commissions have submitted their reports with recommendations.

The Consensus Commission had requested 38 political parties to provide feedback on these proposals by Mar 13, and several parties, including around 20, have submitted their written opinions.

Discussions with these parties have been ongoing since last Thursday.

Iran said the Labour Party supports 147 out of the 166 recommendations, while partially agreeing with two others.

He also revealed the party's stance on constitutional reform, where the Labour Party proposes 40 out of 70 suggestions to be enacted through ordinances before the election, and the remaining 30 to be addressed through constitutional amendments after the election.

Similarly, the Labour Party supports most recommendations concerning public administration, election commissions, and the judiciary to be passed through ordinances before the election, with a few exceptions for post-election reforms.