Dhaka: Three days after formation of a new alliance involving BNP, the party-led 20-party alliance suffered a split as two of its components announced to leave it accusing BNP of making a coalition with the actors of the 1/11 changeover. 

National Awami Party (NAP) and National Democratic Party (NDP) announced to sever ties with the alliance as they think BNP has deviated from its moral position by forging the Jatiya Oikya Front with the actors of the 1/11 political changeover and ‘minus-two formula’.

NAP chairman Jebel Rahman Gani came up with the announcement at a Convention Centre in the city’s Gulshan area. NDP chairman Khandaker Golam Mortuza was also present at the press conference, reports the UNB.

On October 13, BNP, Jatiya Oikya Prokriya, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD-Rob) and Nagorik Oikya launched a new opposition alliance, ‘Jatiya Oikya Front’, ahead of the 11th national election.

‘National Awami Party (NAP) and National Democratic Party (NDP) are going to sever ties with the alliance (20-Party) from this moment for the sake of constitutional and systematic politics,’ he said.

Jebel also alleged that those who filed Zia Orphanage Trust graft case against Khaleda are now with BNP.  

He said they are shocked that the 20-party could not hold any programme after Khaleda was sent to jail.

The NAP chairman also alleged that BNP kept its alliance partners in dark about joining the new alliance. 

He also said though the national election is approaching fast, BNP is not clearing its stance on it to the alliance partners as the party leaders used to tactfully avoid the issue.

Jebel said they did not quit the 20-party even after getting various lucrative offers during the 2014 polls. ‘BNP didn’t properly evaluate this sacrifice.’ 

He also said they have got frustrated over the attitude of Dr Kamal, ASM Rob and BNP leaders towards former President Badruddoza Chowdhury over formation of the Jatiya Oikya Front.
Replying to a question, Jebel said they still did not get any offer from any other alliance to join. ‘We’ll observe the political situation. We want to start a fresh journey. We want a unity with real patriotic, democratic and pro-Liberation War forces.’   

He, however, said they can again forge alliance with BNP if the party corrects its mistakes.

NAP and NDP joined the BNP-led alliance in 2012 to intensify the movement for holding the national election under a non-party neutral administration. 

Contacted, 20-party coordinator and BNP standing committee member Nazrul Islam Khan expressed wonder over the decision of NAP and NDP.

He said they took the decision to join the Jatiya Oikya Front in consultation with the 20-party leaders, not keeping them in the dark.

Nazrul thinks the two parties quit the alliance for not being evaluated, but for other reasons which will be exposed in the days to come.

Talking to UNB, some other alliance leaders said a strong resentment has created among many alliance partners as BNP formed a new alliance ignoring old one.

They said they are now worried over the fate and existence of the 20-party as BNP leaders are overenthusiastic about the new alliance.

Four alliance leaders, wishing anonymity, said they will closely observe the situation and may quit the alliance if BNP fails to keep the 20-party vibrant and evaluate them properly.

BNP insiders said party secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir held meetings with Liberal Democratic Party chairman Oli Ahmed and Kalyan Party chief Syed Mohammad Ibrahim as they were deadly against the new alliance. 

Fakhrul could convince the two leaders assuring them of keeping in the new alliance as well.

A BNP leader said four to six parties of the 20-party alliance will be invited to join the Jatiya Oikya Front, which may create further trouble in the 20-party.

A 20-party leader said their alliance may face another split if BNP does not properly evaluate its partners regarding the sharing of seats during the national election. ‘Most alliance partners want BNP to come with a clear proposal about seat sharing, but the party is unwilling to do it. ‘We’ll wait for a certain period of time, and then finalise our decision as we’ve offer from other alliances.’    

The alliance leader said it will be difficult for BNP to keep the two alliances in its grip at the same time, unless the party makes huge sacrifices.