Alongside the existing 14-party alliance led by ruling Awami League, a new electoral alliance in combination with many more parties that believe in the spirit of the War of Liberation and democracy, is now under discussion.
Besides, under the leadership of Prime Minister and Awami League president Sheikh Hasina, all the 14-party alliance partners have promised to fight together against the BNP, Jammat, fundamentalist and anti-liberation forces.
The alliance partners also decided to take part in the upcoming 12th National Parliament election under the alliance alongside fighting against all the conspiracies at home and abroad.
Leaders of the 14-party alliance made these promises and discussed these issues at a meeting with Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wednesday night at the Prime Minister's official residence Ganabhaban in capital Dhaka.
The 14 Party Alliance has been together for nearly three decades.
Workers Party President Rashed Khan Menon, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal President Hasanul Haque Inu, Jatiya Party (JP) Chairman Anwar Hossain Manju and other leaders attended the meeting.
Also present were other alliance leaders, as well as Awami League Advisory Council members Amir Hossain Amu and General Secretary Obaidul Quader.
According to meeting sources, Awami League leader Amir Hossain Amu, also the spokesperson for the 14-party alliance, informed that many more parties, including several Islamist parties, are eager to join the alliance led by Awami League.
In reply, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina opined for a new electoral alliance.
She said parties that believe in the War of Liberation and democracy are welcome and for them a new electoral alliance might be formed before the next parliamentary election.
Earlier, in the opening speech at the start of the meeting at 7:30pm on Wednesday, Sheikh Hasina highlighted her government’s efforts to deal with the shock of the global economic recession. She then listened to the words of the coalition leaders. The meeting lasted until 11:30pm.
Afterwards, a press release signed by Awami League Office Secretary Biplab Barua said, "In the resolution adopted by the central 14 Party meeting, it said that even as Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is taking Bangladesh forward with infinite courage, wisdom, honesty and skill, a conspiracy is being attempted to force Bangladesh to deviate from the original ideals of its formation.”
“Anti-national conspirators are encouraging the unnecessary interference of foreign powers in the internal politics of Bangladesh with the help of evil forces. A certain group is conspiring to disrupt the constitutional system of government in the country. Conspirators are also engaging in a scheme to rig the upcoming parliamentary elections.”
The statement continued: "The central 14 Party Alliance is united under the leadership of leader Sheikh Hasina, the illustrious daughter of the Father of the Nation, in the light of the spirit of the great Liberation War. The 14 Party Alliance will never compromise with any unconstitutional conspiracy against the interests of the people.”
Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal Convener Rezaur Rashid, who participated in the meeting, said, “The issue of the unnecessary interference of foreign powers in the internal politics of Bangladesh came up. Everyone said that this conspiracy must be stopped."
Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal General Secretary Shirin Akhter said, "No matter what the conspiracy, we will not bow down to any foreign power, everyone said it clearly."
According to the media release signed by Barua, it was decided that the alliance would contest the parliamentary elections as a coalition.
"The Central 14 Party Alliance will fight all evil forces in the streets. At the same time, in the light of the spirit of the Liberation War, we will participate in the next national elections in alliance with the aim of rebuilding Bangladesh."
"We have been going to the elections as a coalition for a long time,” Shirin Akhter said. “This matter was raised in today’s meeting too. It was decided that we will go to the polls as a coalition.”
