Left parties in Bangladesh, which are neither in the coalitions led by the Awami League nor the BNP, will announce an electoral alliance for parliamentary polls expected in December.
According to people familiar with the matter, Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), Socialist Party of Bangladesh (BaSaD), Biplobi Workers Party, Ganatantrik Biplobi Party, United Communist League of Bangladesh, Samajtantrik Andolon, Ganashangati Andolon and BaSaD (Marxists) will consist of the coalition.
The announcement will be made at a media briefing on Wednesday (Jul 18) at CPB headquarters in Dhaka, Biplobi Workers Party General Secretary Saiful Islam told Bangla Tribune.
Leaders of the parties agreed on forming the coalition in a meeting on Tuesday. However, details over floating candidates are yet to be finalised.
BaSad General Secretary Khalequzzaman, who had earlier told Bangla Tribune that they plan to float candidates in 200 constituencies, said on Tuesday, “This is not only an electoral alliance, but also political coalition.”
However, Left parties which sat out from the 2014 polls have to take part in the upcoming one due to a Constitutional provision, which will scrap their registration.
The CPB, BaSad and Biplobi Workers’ Party are the only parties registered with the Election Commission in the new alliance, which leaves the rest five parties with no other than to float candidates as independent or use polls symbols of their coalition partners.