‘Juktafront’, a new political alliance of three parties registered with the Election Commission, was launched on Wednesday under the leadership of Kalyan Party chairman Syed Mohammad Ibrahim.
The new political platform of the Kalyan Party, a faction of the Jatiya Party, led by MA Matin and Bangladesh Muslim League also announced to join the upcoming national election slated for January 7.
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Syed Ibrahim, a military-officer-turned politician and the president of the new alliance, came up with the formal announcement about the journey of the platform and its participation in the polls at a press conference at the Jatiya Press Club in Dhaka in the morning.
With this announcement, Ibrahim left the 12-party alliance that has been carrying out simultaneous movement with BNP and other opposition parties for nearly a year to realise one-point demand that includes the resignation of the current government and holding the next election under a non-party neutral government.
"We three registered political parties have formed the ‘Juktafront’ today…at the same time, we are ready to take a decision regarding the upcoming 12th Parliamentary elections,” he said.
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Ibrahim expected that there could be a change in the current election schedule announced by the Election Commission. “We, Juktafront, have decided to take part in the upcoming 12th parliamentary elections in alliance.”
"We are taking a big risk. Major and small parties joined the election as part of their movement in the past. As small parties, we will participate in the election with fear. The answer to the fear is the government's commitment,” he said.
Ibrahim said their alliance want to join the next elections in a bid to make it acceptable to the nation and to the global community.
He also hoped that the election will be held in a fair and credible manner.
Ibrahim said they have preparations to nominate candidates in 100 seats. “The candidates of our respective parties will participate in this election with their symbols given by the Election Commission during their registrations.”
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Bangladesh Muslim League chairman Sheikh Zulfiqar Bulbul Chowdhury and Jatiya Party (Matin) secretary genera Jafar Ahmed Joy and also spoke at the programme.
Major General (retired) Syed Muhammad Ibrahim formed the Kalyan Party on December 4, 2007 with a slogan to bring a positive change in politics.
Kalyan was a component of the BNP-led 20-party alliance and it joined the 12-party alliance when the 20-party one was abolished.