Bangladesh News

After a pause of about 20 months, Awami League (AL)-led grand electoral alliance is about to be resurrected again, as its key leaders are scheduled to meet for iftar today, ahead of the parliamentary election scheduled for December 18.

Leaders of the components of AL-led 14-party coalition, and of Jatiya Party (JP-Ershad), Bikalpadhara Bangladesh (BDB), Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Jatiya Party (JP-Manju), the Communist Party of Bangladesh, Misbaur Rahman led Islami Oikya Jote (IOJ), Zaker Party, and of some other parties which had not been in the grand alliance earlier, have been invited to the iftar in a community centre in the capital.

AL-led grand alliance was formed ahead of the stalled January 22, 2007 election to compete against BNP-Jamaat led four-party alliance.

“Other than the components of BNP-Jamaat led alliance we have invited all political parties, and they all have accepted the invitation,” AL Presidium Member Motia Chowdhury said yesterday.

As preparations for the election have started with the announcement of the specific date for the national election, there can be some informal talks among the grand alliance leaders, Motia told The Daily Star.

She said the final steps for reawakening the grand alliance will start as soon as AL President Sheikh Hasina returns home from abroad.

Most of the senior AL leaders will attend the iftar this evening. Sources said the outcome of the primary conversations among the invited party leaders will be conveyed to Hasina.

Talking to The Daily Star, sources in the grand alliance said their parties feel as the national election is approaching, there should be some primary discussions for jump-starting the activities of the grand electoral alliance.

Meanwhile, some of the grand alliance leaders already talked to Sheikh Hasina about seat sharing, the sources said adding that this time around the resurgent electoral alliance will pay more attention to policies instead of only sharing of seats.

JP Acting Chairman Barrister Anisul Islam Mahmud told The Daily Star that their Chairman HM Ershad will also attend the iftar.

He said their party wants the grand alliance to become alive again based on policy negotiations.

There should be concrete policies of the alliance regarding the anti-corruption drive, reforms in government administration, strengthening of the judiciary, economic development, health, and education, among other key national issues, he said.

The JP leader also said they will seek around 60 seats this year for ‘good candidates’.