As many as nine political parties have expressed their interest to join the 14-party Alliance led by the Awami League but its allies have opposed the idea, except for the Krishak Sramik Party headed by Faizul Haque.
On Wednesday, nine parties, including former BNP leader Nazmul Huda-led Trinamool BNP had a meeting 14-Party Alliance’s Coordinator and Awami League leader Mohammad Nasim.
The other parties were Ganatantrik Andolon, National Democratic Alliance, Sammilito Islamic Jote, Krishak Sramik Party, Ekamat Andolon, Jago Dal, Islamic Front and Ganatantrik Jot.
“They have expressed their interest. Awami League chief and coalition leader Shiekh Hasina will take the final call,” Nasim told the media after the meeting.
AL’s allies in the coalition, however, do not feel the need to widen the ambit of the alliance. They feel it will dilute the existing spirit.
Sharif Nurul, leader of a JaSaD faction, said “Except for Faizul Haque’s Krishak Sramik Party, all of these parties’ ideologies conflict with that of the 14-party.”
Describing Nazmul Huda as a BNP renegade, he said, “The charters of the other parties are not in line with the coalition’s spirit. So, ideological alliance is impossible, however, an electoral coalition can be considered.”
Most of these parties were formed by people were former BNP leaders, said Workers’ Party of Bangladesh senior leader Anisur Rahman Mallik.
“They have formed parties after disagreeing with Khaleda Zia. There’s no reason to spoil the 14 parties’ spirit by including them,” he told Bangla Tribune.
Mallik said that representatives of AL allies attended Wednesday’s meeting, but refrained from voicing their opinion.
Coalition’s Coordinator Nasim told Bangla Tribune that they have heard what the parties had to say.
“Any kind of measures over expanding the alliance will be taken upon Awami League chief and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s advice,” he said.