There were quite a few alliances during the 11th national parliamentary elections, with Awami League (AL) and BNP as the nucleus. But after elections, many of the alliances are slipping into oblivion. Some are facing factionalism plus internecine conflict.
Six political alliances formed before Dec 30, these are: Jatiya Oikya Front led by Dr Kamal Hossain, Jukto Front led by Badruddoza Chowdhury, Left Democratic Alliance, Grand Alliance led by AL, Islamic Democratic alliance led by Mizbahur Rahman Chowdhury and Jatiya alliance led by Nazmul Huda.
The other coalitions are, 14-party Alliance led by AL, 20-party Alliance led by BNP, CPB-BSD alliance and others.
Political analysts say that many alliances are formed prior to election to get certain facilities and several small alliances wanted to get close to bigger parties. Once election was over, they skedaddled.
Badiul Alam Mazumder from SUJON, a good governance platform, says: “After election, feuds take place in such alliances because these are never formed with any specific ideal.”
Led by Dr. Kamal Hossain, the Jaitya Oikya Front featured BNP, Gono Forum, JSD, Nagorik Oikko, Krishak Sramik Janata League and others.
But after the election debacle, squabbles began among alliance members.
Two leading BNP leaders stopped going to the alliance meetings.
After the oath taking of parliament members, the alliance has lost its efficacy.
Though initially, BNP secretary general, Mirza Fakhrul Islam said that those who will take oath are traitors; later, at the directive of Tarique Rahman BNP members took oath.
Allies in the Jatiya Oikko Front became furious after BNP’s winning candidates of the election took oath and this rendered the alliance ineffective.
If many of the inconsistencies of the alliance are not addressed, Kader Siddique has declared he will leave the pact.
Oikko Front steering committee member and Gono Forum’s executive president Subrata Chowdhury says: “For many reasons, there’s a sense of anxiety plus restlessness within the alliance; for this, the declared programmes were cancelled.”
Hopefully, constructive dialogue will take place after Eid, he added.
Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh presidium member, Shamsher Mobin Chowdhury, said: “for the time being, there is no programme of the alliance; efforts will be made after Eid to activate the allies.”
Barrister Nazmul Huda led Bangladesh National Alliance expressed interest to join AL and Nazmul Huda bought nomination paper from AL though he did not get the approval.
He says: “For the time being, there is no activity but we have plans to activate the alliance in the future.”
Islamic Democratic Alliance formed with 15 parties and this pact supported AL though this alliance did not have any candidate.
Now the pact will dissolve and emerge as a political party called Islamic Democratic Party on 25 May,
Alliance spokesperson, M A Awal, says: “All parties of the alliance will unite to form one party.”
The Left Democratic Alliance did not join either the AL or BNP and took part in the election as independent candidates.
The alliance exists though their activities have reduced. Currently, it is protesting the price hike of the rise of gas, power and rice.