A new political platform, styled ‘Nationalist Democratic Front’ (NDF), with 10 small parties, including five breakaway factions of BNP-led 20-party alliance, was launched here on Thursday, aiming to build a democratic Bangladesh.
Initiator of the platform and NPP chairman Shawkat Hossain Nilu who recently deserted the BNP-led alliance formally announced the NDF journey at a press conference at Diploma Engineers Institution.
Nilu said he was elected the NDF chairman while chairman of a faction of National Democratic Party (NDP) Alamgir Mazumder made its secretary general.
The 10 parties include NPP, NDP, Bangladesh Muslim League, National Awami Party (NAP), Jatiyatabadi Ganotantrik Dal, Bangladesh Labour Party, Bangladesh Islamic Party, Insaf Party, Trinamul Nap-Bhashani and Bhashani Front.
Of those, factions of NPP, NDP, Muslim League, Islamic Party and Bangladesh Labour Party are with the 20-party alliance.
Nilu told reporters that NDF is an election coalition formed with an aim to go to state power. “We’ll field our candidates for all the 300 constituencies.”
Asked whether they will participate in the polls if it is held under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the NDF chief said they will do it as they have respect for the constitution.
He said they think the government should arrange an acceptable midterm election annulling the current unethical parliament as it was formed through a ‘voter-less’ and mock election.
Replying to a question how many parties of his alliance are registered with the Election Commission (EC), he could not give the specific number saying the process is on to get registered with the EC those lack registration.
Asked if they will rejoin the 20-party alliance, Nilu said they may unite with the BNP-led camp if it announces the alliance is election one and seeks apology to the nation for its previous mistakes, including boycotting the January-5 election.
Nilu also denied having NDF’s any link with intelligence agencies.
NDF secretary general Alamgir Mazumder red out a written statement about the perspective on the formation of the alliance, its goal, programmes and organisational structure.
He said they have a nine-point programme, including declaring the February 25, the day of brutal killings of 57 army officials inside the then BDR headquarters, a national mourning day, forcing the government to hold acceptable midterm polls, playing an effective role in resolving outstanding problems with neighbours and building a terrorism- and corruption-free Bangladesh.
Mazumder claimed some other parties are preparing to join their platform.
Source: UNB
