Back in 1998, BNP chief Khaleda Zia allied with Jamaat-e-Islami on AQM Badrudozza Chowdhury’s advice, says BNP Joint Secretary General Mahbubuddin Khokon.
“(BNP founder) Ziaur Rahman trusted B Chowdhury and used to take his advice seriously. Abdul Alim, who was later convicted of war crimes, was a made minister upon his advice, he didn’t step down then,” he said while speaking at a discussion organised by Bangla Tribune on Tuesday.
Khokon said that in 1998, Bodruddoza, also known as B Chowdhury, was the “second man” of the BNP.
“He did not raise any questions when Jamaat was included in the Four-party Alliance. He even contested the election and later went on to be elected as a president by their vote. He has been with them so long, what happened now? Khaleda Zia made Jamaat an ally upon his advice,” said the BNP leader.
After weeks of intense negotiations, the BNP, Gano Forum chief Dr Kamal Hossain-led Jatiya Oikya Prokriya, ASM Abdur Rab’s Jatiya Samajtantrik Dala (JSD) and Mahmudur Rahman Manna’s Nagorik Oikya formally launched a coalition styled ‘Jatiya Oikya Front’ on Oct 13.
Badruddoza-led Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh, however, was left out. A former president, Badruddoza floated the Jukto Front coalition last year with JSD and Nagorik Oikya.
In a separate press conference the same day, Badruddoza said they are not with the new coalition as the BNP did not sever ties with Jamaat.
“They (Bikalpa Dhara) demanded 150 seats from the BNP, why we don’t know,” BNP leader Khokon claimed on Tuesday.
Moderated by ATN News Chief Executive Editor Munni Saha, the discussion was attended by Daily Bhorer Kagoj Editor Shyamal Dutta, BNP Joint Secretary General Mahbubuddin Khokon, Gano Forum Presidium member AKM Jaglul Haider Afrik, Awami League Deputy Office Secretary Biplob Barua and Bangla Tribune Editor Zulfiqer Russell.

The talk-show, held at Bangla Tribune studio, was broadcast live on ATN News and webcast on Bangla Tribune’s site and Facebook page.