Play store
Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman is set to meet senior leaders of political parties that joined the BNP-led simultaneous movement against the Awami League government, with a wide range of political issues expected to dominate the discussions.
The meeting, scheduled for this evening at the state guesthouse Jamuna, will be the first time Tarique Rahman meets the alliance partners since the BNP formed the government.
Although the invitation describes the event as a goodwill meeting, leaders of the alliance parties said political issues are likely to take centre stage.
Discussions are expected to include the BNP’s commitment to forming a national government, the future nature of its relationship with its political allies, the government’s performance and broader political developments.
Several alliance leaders are expected to attend the meeting with grievances and dissatisfaction.
They are likely to raise concerns over what they describe as the BNP’s failure to honour commitments made during the joint movement, particularly its pledge to form a national government involving all alliance partners.
Leaders are also expected to seek clarity on the future of their political relationship with the BNP, including whether their joint political journey will continue after the meeting and, if so, what form that cooperation will take.
Saiful Haque, a top leader of the Ganatantra Mancha and general secretary of the Revolutionary Workers Party, said he would draw the prime minister’s attention to what he described as the BNP’s political retreat on several issues since forming the government.
“Although the government is doing well in some areas, certain issues, including several trade agreements, have become a source of concern. I will raise these matters at the meeting,” he said.
He added that the BNP’s commitment to forming a national government could also come up for discussion.
Subrata Chowdhury, president of Gono Forum, said the leaders had been invited for a goodwill meeting and that the details of the discussions would become clear after they arrived.
Discontent over the distribution of parliamentary seats among alliance partners in the 13th general election may also be raised.
The prime minister is expected to seek the partners’ views on how to fulfil the goals of the joint movement and appeal for their continued cooperation in taking the country forward.
However, the Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) has decided not to attend the meeting.
The party’s general secretary Shahid Uddin Mahmud Swapan said the decision had also been conveyed to the BNP in writing.
In a letter signed on July 16, the JSD said it valued dialogue, mutual respect, political courtesy and continued communication despite differences of opinion.
However, it said the issues of the July Charter, referendum and state reform represented a “principled and historic commitment” to the people.
The party said it would not participate in a separate political meeting with the BNP before a clear national position and political consensus were reached on these issues.
The JSD, however, said it would be ready to participate in an all-party or national dialogue initiated by the state or government on fundamental issues concerning the national crisis, state reform, the July Charter, referendum and the country’s future political settlement.
