Despite taking the decision to attend the iftar party hosted by BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia for political leaders, the ruling Awami League backed out at the last moment.
About the last minute cancellation, party presidium member Nooh Alam Lenin said that the AL delegation had decided not to attend the iftar as Jamaat e Islami leaders would be present. Earlier, in the morning presidium member and agriculture minister Matia Chowdhury told the media that a party delegation led by general secretary and LGRD minister Syed Ashraful Islam MP would attend the iftar party at the LD hall of the Jatiya Sangshad Bhaban.
Meanwhile, expressing shock over the absence of the AL in the iftar party, BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said, BNP chairperson’s iftar programme could have turned into a get-together of politicians creating a positive impact on the country’s political scene if the ruling Awami League attended it. Talking to the media after the iftar party, Alamgir said, “We came to know that the ruling Awami League would take part in our iftar party and we were happy to learn that. But the ruling party did not turn up in the iftar party, which is a matter of sorrow,” he said.
Referring to ALs argument that Jamaat’s presence prompted them not to attend the programme, Alamgir said, Jamaat-e-Islami is a political component of the 18-party alliance and so its leaders were invited in the iftar party.
In the past, Awami League along with Jamaat-e-Islami carried on movement against BNP jointly over the non-party caretaker government issue, he said.
“If the ruling Awami League has refrained from attending in the opposition hosted iftar party on Jamaat ground, it cannot be acceptable. It is not justified and unexpected,” he added.
He also said that after this incident, his party would also think whether any representative would be sent or not if any invitation is given on behalf of the ruling Awami League for iftar.
BNP and its like-minded political parties have also expressed their sadness for Awami League’s abstention in the iftar party.
Senior presidium member of Jatiya Party (Ershad), Kazi Zafar Ahmed told reporters that the ruling party should realize the peoples’ pulse and the writings of the wall to create a congenial atmosphere for peaceful power handover.
The senior JP leader also said, “The ruling AL should have joined BNP’s ifter party in keeping with the political culture. And we believe in it. Had they attended the party, it would have been nice.”
Replying to a query, Kazi Zafar said, “We are thinking positively whether we are going to form an alliance with BNP-led 18-party coalition.”
“Just wait and see. We like to think of everything in a positive manner,” he added.
The JP leader also said, “A wind of change is blowing in the country; let it reach a logical conclusion.”
Bikalpadhara Bangladesh president, Professor AQM Badruzzduza Chowdhury told the reporters that the next general elections would not be free and fair if the polls are not held under the management of a caretaker administration.
“No election would be allowed in the country unless caretaker government system is restored,” he added.
Referring to the AL absence in Party, B Chowdhury said, “We will send our delegation if we are invited.”
Speaking on the occasion, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal president ASM Abdur Rob said the next general elections would not be free, fair and credible if it is held under the party government.
BNP-led 18-party alliance leaders including Jamaat-e-Islami acting ameer Nasir Uddin Ahmed, chief of Liberal Democratic Party Oli Ahmed, BJP leader Barrister Andalib Rahman Partho, Kalyan Party chairman Syed Mohammad Ibrahim, Islami Oikya Jote leader Abdul Latif Nezami, Jatiya Gonotantrik Party chief Shafiul Alam Prodhan, National People’s Party (NPP) chairman Sheikh Shawkat Hossain Nilu, National Democratic Party (NDP) leader Khandaker Golam Mortuza, Bangladesh NAP leader Zebel Rahman Gani, Khelafat Andolon ameer Shah Ahmedullah Ashraf and others were present.
-With The Independent input
