Bangladesh News

Discord within the Awami League (AL)-led 14-party combine seems to have taken a turn for the worse following the reported meetings between AL President Sheikh Hasina and HM Ershad-led Jatiya Party leaders in London.

The tension became palpable after Fazle Hossain Badsha of Workers Party opted out of the Rajshahi mayoral race in the face of pressure from local units of AL and allies. In response to the developments, Workers Party announced it would not support any mayoral candidates.

Combine insiders said the disputes began to surface when some of the components started to criticise the AL leadership in a tone similar to the caretaker administration’s after declaration of the state of emergency in January last year. AL responded by announcing that it no more considers Gono Forum as an ally.

Besides, they added, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal’s (JSD) statements often in a swipe at the AL over the last 18 months led to a gulf growing between AL and JSD.

Lately, Hasina’s meeting JP acting chairman Barrister Anisul Islam Mahmud and presidium member Ziauddin Ahmed Bablu in London has complicated matters further.

Sources in the UK said the former prime minister has had a series of discussions with the JP leaders with a view to revive the grand electoral alliance that was formed before the now cancelled parliamentary polls for January 22, 2007.

“A meeting between Hasina and the Jatiya Party leaders without consulting the 14-party allies would do the combine more harm than good. It would undermine our 23-point minimum common national programme,” Gonotantri Party President Nurul Islam told The Daily Star yesterday.

He however said he would make efforts to resolve the crises, especially the latest ones.

Talking to The Daily Star, Workers Party President Rashed Khan Menon said there’s not even an acknowledgement of the crisis. “The combine leaders must understand the gravity of the situation or else things will spiral out of control,” he observed.

Samyabadi Dal General Secretary Dilip Barua said he wonders why AL should consider joining hands with HM Ershad who he thinks is a byword for corruption and autocracy. “We hope Awami League will act immediately to address the concerns and misunderstandings.”

AL presidium member Tofail Ahmed, also coordinator of the combine, told The Daily Star that the 14-party is an alliance of democratic and secular forces. “Our unity will prevail no matter what,” he said, adding that he has been in touch with the key leaders of the allies to maintain the unity.