With the national election slated late this year, the ruling Awam League is looking forward to rope political parties into its alliance in an effort to counter the BNP.
But it’s reluctant to include just any party into its 14-party Alliance rather taken the strategy to back any new coalition formed.
Highly-placed sources in the AL confirmed that it has already conveyed a message to parties interested in forming electoral coalitions that they cannot back the BNP.
As many as four policymaking members of the ruling party told Bangla Tribune that parties in line with the spirit of the Awami League’s electoral manifesto will be given the opportunity to be part of a larger polls-time coalition, but not in the 14-party Alliance.
According to them, the strategy is to deploy pre-emptive efforts to curb any initiative that may cause parties siding with its arch-rival, the BNP.
“There are certain criteria (for political parties) to work with the Awami League. If those are fulfilled only then other political parties can work with us,” Presidium Member Matia Chowdhury told Bangla Tribune.
It’s only natural of political parties to roll up their sleeves ahead of the election, says Joint General Secretary Mahbubul Alam Hanif. “That’s the case now. Opportunities may open up for any oraginsation who believe in the Awami League’s ideology,” he told Bangla Tribune.
The ruling party has reportedly opened talks as its General Secretary Obaidul Quader on Tuesday made a surprise visit to the offices of Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), where met its chief Mujahidul Islam Selim.
Both parties, however, described it as a ‘courtesy call’, but sources confirmed that the discussions included a possible alliance.
The ruling party’s move to reach out to the left front after eight leftist parties, including the CPB, floated a coalition styled ‘Left Democratic Alliance’ last week.
On Thursday, Krishak Shramik Janata League President Kader Siddiqui met Quader at his offices in the ministry. Sources confirmed that the meeting lasted for at least 20 minutes, but it’s yet to be known what they discussed.
Earlier this month, former BNP leader Nazmul Huda, who now leads the political outfit Trinamool BNP, and eight other parties have met with Awami League leaders to join the ruling party-led electoral alliance.