Staff Reporter
The BNP and its allies have raised concerns over potential attempts to establish a new ‘King’s Party’ in the country, allegedly with state backing. They believe such a move could destabilise the political environment and heighten tensions.
BNP leaders and their allies fear that a state-supported party might manipulate the upcoming elections, exacerbating existing crises amid ongoing conspiracies against the nation.
The BNP has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring a fair national election by 2025, stating that neither they nor the public will tolerate any attempt to influence the polls through the creation of a state-sponsored ‘puppet’ political party like the ‘King’s Party’.
This position was emphasised during separate meetings on Saturday with the 12-Party Alliance, Jatiyatabadi Samamona Jote, and the Labour Party at the BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office, where the allies expressed full support.
Senior leaders from the BNP and allied parties voiced concerns about the interim government’s intentions following the Chief Adviser’s abrupt and vague announcement of an election roadmap on December 16.
This announcement, made without consulting political parties, coincided with efforts to establish the Jatiya Nagorik Committee, a new political entity perceived to have state backing and support from certain advisers.
The leaders alleged that the government is intentionally delaying the election under the guise of reforms, hoping to provide student leaders from the Anti-Discrimination Movement in July-August with enough time to organise their new political party.
They also criticised the involvement of two student leaders, now part of the advisory council, accusing them of unethical support for the formation of this new party.
It was claimed that figures like Sarjis Alam and Hasnat Abdullah, prominent members of the Anti-Discrimination Movement, are receiving state support for their political activities.
The opposition intends to urge the administration to hold the election by September or October next year and to refrain from supporting the formation of new political parties.
Advocate Fariduzzaman Farhad, Chief of Jatiyatabadi Samamona Jote and President of the National People’s Party (NPP), emphasised these concerns during discussions with BNP leaders, particularly focusing on the unethical involvement of government advisers in facilitating the student party’s formation.
Farhad insisted that if the advisers wish to engage in politics, they should first resign from their posts.
Shahadat Hossain Selim, coordinator of the 12-Party Alliance and President of a faction of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), remarked that certain government actions have created confusion and dissatisfaction among alliance members.
Drawing parallels with past political scenarios, Selim referred to the Fakhruddin-Moyeenuddin regime during the 1/11 political changeover, which also saw attempts to form state-supported parties that were ultimately rejected by the people.
