The BNP is set to announce a joint programme of action with its like-minded parties very soon, to press home their various demands, including to hold the next national election within a reasonable timeframe that brooks no unnecessary delay.
“We, together with BNP and other political parties involved in the simultaneous movement, will announce our programmes, just as we did in the past, very soon,” said the 12-Party Alliance chief, Mostafa Jamal Haider after a meeting with the BNP liaison committee at the BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office.
BNP Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan said they have begun discussions with various political parties and alliances about the country’s current political situation, economy, and the various problems people are facing.
“Based on the discussions, if we decide on any action programmes, we will announce them later,” he said.
Nazrul Islam Khan said the 12-Party Alliance stood with the BNP in waging a simultaneous movement against the fascist Awami League. “The 12-Party Alliance played a very brave and effective role in the struggle to ensure the fall of fascism.”
Later, Mostafa Jamal Haider said they had a lengthy discussion with the BNP leaders on the future course of action in light of the current situation in the country. “However, we have not yet reached a final decision.”
He added that the BNP Standing Committee would make a decision on the matter in its next meeting, which is likely to be held in the next couple of days.
Mostafa Jamal Haider, also the chairman of the Jatiya Party faction loyal to the late Kazi Zafar, said the 12-Party Alliance, BNP, and other anti-fascism political forces had carried out a simultaneous movement against the Awami League regime.
BNP begins talks with allies over national election
“The necessity of our movement and unity is not over," he said, adding: "It will be felt even more deeply in the future.”
Meanwhile, the BNP began talks with like-minded political parties by holding its first meeting with the 12-Party Alliance leaders in a bid to consolidate unity and seek their opinions on the next general election.
BNP liaison committee members, headed by party Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, participated in the meeting, which began around 4pm.
BNP Standing Committee members Nazrul Islam Khan, Selima Rahman and Vice-Chairman Abdul Awal Mintoo also attended the meeting.
After the meeting with the 12-Party Alliance, BNP leaders sat with the leaders of the Jatiyatabadi Samamona Jote.
At the time of filing this report, BNP was scheduled hold another meeting with the leaders of the Labour Party today (Saturday).
A delegation from the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) was also scheduled to meet with BNP leaders today, but the meeting has been rescheduled.
A BNP Standing Committee member, wishing anonymity, said they would discuss the country’s latest political situation and seek the opinions of the alliance partners regarding the upcoming election, the government’s reform initiatives and the Chief Adviser’s probable election roadmap.
He said they would work out their next course of action based on the suggestions of their like-minded political parties, aiming to press for the election to be held as soon as possible.