United News of Bangladesh

Kalyan Party chairman Syed Mohammad Ibrahim on Wednesday said he changed his position on joining the election under the current government after having failed to get success in the street movement. “We’re not getting success in the movement against the current government…in the definite situation that emerged after October 28 (BNP’s rally), I have to make a decision whether I will remain silent or I will take an alternative approach,” he said. Speaking at a press conference on the occasion of launching the new political alliance Juktafront, Ibrahim said he said he took the alternative position in a bid to try to raise his voice in Parliament if he gets a chance. Facing a volley of questions from journalists about his changed position, the Kalyan party chief said it is difficult for the small parties to protect their existence, unlike the major ones. “This is the reality. So, I won’t give any challenge.” Syed Ibrahim forms Juktafront, announces to join national election In response to a question, he said their new political alliance wants to sit on the bench of the opposition party in the parliament to speak in favour of the country’s people. Ibrahim said sincere efforts of all parties, including Awami League and BNP are necessary to remove the errors in the current political system of Bangladesh. He called upon the major parties and the international communities to arrange political talks in a congenial atmosphere to make a good decision in the interests of the nation. “I did not say about the failure of BNP in the movement. But after October 28, the political movement has now reached a point where the situation needs to be reassessed…I earlier said I want the caretaker government. But what if the caretaker government is not installed? In reply I said either one should wait or try to participate with what is available. I now gave an opinion to be part of what we have,” Ibrahim explained his present position. Jatiya Party announces decision to join national election He said he took the decision to join the election based on the prevailing political situation in the country. Asked whether he took the decision to quit the one-point movement under any pressure, the Kalyan Party chief parried the question.   Ibrahim hoped that the election will be held in a fair and credible manner. “The government and the Election Commission will make every effort to this end. But it is not possible for me to guarantee it.” He 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.” In response to another question, Ibrahim said he thinks a non-partisan caretaker government is still necessary to hold a credible election. “But because of the prevailing political situation, the caretaker system is not introduced. So, I had to take this decision (of going to the polls).” Earlier, he announced the formation of ‘Juktafront’, a new political alliance of three parties registered with the Election Commission. BNP leader Fakhul's bail plea denied in case over vandalising chief justice's residence He said the new political platform of the Kalyan Party, a faction of Jatiya Party, led by MA Matin and Bangladesh Muslim League will join the upcoming national election slated for January 7. 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.

BNP on Sunday reached a consensus with Kalyan Party to wage a 'simultaneous’ movement by giving priority to bring back a caretaker government to oversee next general elections. As part of its move to launch a united anti-government movement, the party began its second round of dialogue with political parties through the first meeting with the leaders of Kalyan Party at the BNP chairperson’s Gulshan office. Talking to reporters after the talks, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said, “We’ve reached an understanding through the discussions that we’ll forge a greater national unity to initiate a movement.  We’ve also agreed on the demands on which we’ll start the movement.” He said they agreed on the issues like the formation of a polls-time caretaker government, the resignation of the current government, the dissolution of Parliament and the formation of a new Election Commission under the caretaker administration to conduct the next polls. The BNP leader said both sides also agreed on some other issues, including the release of Khaleda Zia and all other opposition leaders and the withdrawal of all ‘false’ cases filed against them. Read: BNP to unveil polls-time govt formula at 'appropriate' time: Fakhrul Kalyan Party chairman Syed Muhammad Ibrahim said they had fruitful discussions on kicking off a ‘simultaneous’ movement.  “But we’ve agreed not to disclose the exact date of the start of the movement." He said there will have a surprise in the upcoming anti-government movement mainly for the restoration of democracy. Ibrahim, a freedom fighter and a former military official, said he believes that the struggle to restore democracy is another war. “We’ll fight this war together and turn victorious. We’ve no other options, but to win this battle." Explaining the reason for the second round of dialogue, Mirza Fakhrul said they agreed in principle to build a national unity and begin a simultaneous movement during their first phase of talks. “In the second round of dialogue, we have reached a consensus on the issues and demands for which we’ll carry out the movement.” He also said they have a plan to hold discussions with all political parties except Awami League in the second phase. Read: BNP to hold rallies in 10 divisional cities from October 8 A nine-member delegation of the Kalyan Party, led by its chairman Ibrahim joined the talks with Mirza Fakhrul and Nazrul Islam Khan, a standing committee member of BNP and 20-party coordinator. Other members of the Kalyan Party delegation include its secretary general Abdul Awal Mamun, central leaders Nurul Kabir Pintu, Abdullah Al Hasan Shakib, Rashed Ferdous, Mahbubur Rahman Shamim, Jamal Hossain, Abu Hanif and Abu Yusuf.   Earlier, BNP had discussions with 23 parties during its first phase of talks that began on May 24 to work out the outline for launching a united movement to 'restore' democracy and people’s voting rights.

BNP on Thursday sat with the Kalyan Party, one of the components of the 20-party alliance, as part of its political parley aimed at launching a united anti-government movement. An 11-member delegation of the Kalyan Party, led by its chairman Sayed Mohammad Ibrahim had talks with BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir at the BNP chairperson's Gulshan office. Nazrul Islam Khan, BNP standing committee member and 20-party coordinator, was also present. Also read: Artificial food crisis created to raise prices: BNP After nearly one and half hours of talks, Sayed Ibrahim said both parties agreed that removing the current 'autocratic' government is now a top priority in politics. “We also think waging a movement together with other parties is necessary to implement it,” he said. He said they told BNP that their party is ready to initiate a simultaneous movement with other parties if it is not possible to activate the 20-party alliance for any reason. "We also said that we are ready to cooperate with BNP in activating the 20-party alliance or incorporating more parties into the alliance," the Kalyan Party chief also said.  Fakhrul said they reached an agreement with Kalyan Party on waging an effective movement against this government to force it to resign and hand over power to a non-partisan government. He said they will initiate the movement also to force the government to dissolve the parliament with an aim to hold a credible and inclusive election to be conducted by a new impartial election commission. On May 24, BNP formally began a dialogue with other opposition parties with the first meeting with Nagorik Oikya. Three days later, the party also sat with Labour Party, another component of the 20-party. Also read: BNP, Biplobi Workers Party agree to oust govt thru movement: Fakhrul BNP also had talks with Ganosanghati Andolon on May 31 and Bangladesher Biplobi Workers Party on June 1 and agreed to wage a simultaneous anti-government movement.