GOP urges EC to ban AL-led alliance, questions JaPa’s role
Shahariar Islam Sovon :
The Gono Odhikar Parishad (GOP) on Monday formally called on the Election Commission to revoke the registration of the Awami League (AL)-led 14-party alliance, citing allegations of genocide and violations under the Anti-Terrorism Act.
A seven-member GOP delegation, led by spokesperson Faruk Hasan, submitted a written petition to Chief Election Commissioner A M M Nasir Shah at the EC headquarters in Agargaon around noon.
The delegation also included senior joint general secretary Hasan Al Mamun, higher council members Abu Hanif, Shakil Uzzaman, Mahfuzur Rahman Khan, Habibur Rahman Riju, and Zubo Odhikar Parishad president Manjur Morshed Mamun.
Gono Odhikar Parishad (GOP) General Secretary Rashed Khan has strongly criticised the Jatiya Party (JaPa) and its Chairman GM Quader, branding the party as a political ally of the Awami League (AL) and questioning why legal action has not been taken against its leadership.
In a statement given to The New Nation on Monday, Rashed Khan said, “The Jatiya Party, led by GM Quader, is essentially a political extension of the Awami League. He has consistently stood by the ousted Hasina in every crisis, in every situation. Why hasn’t he been arrested yet?”
His remarks come a day after the GOP formally submitted a petition to the Election Commission, demanding the cancellation of party registrations for the AL-led 14-party alliance, which includes the Jatiya Party. The GOP accused the coalition of committing genocide, enabling state repression, and collaborating to establish what they termed a “one-party fascist regime.”
The GOP petition urged the commission to cancel the registration of not only the Awami League but also its coalition partners, including the Jatiya Party, accusing them of complicity in what they described as “genocide and treason.”
According to the petition, the GOP Advisory Council on May 10 resolved to seek a complete ban on all activities of the Awami League-both physical and digital-under the Anti-Terrorism Act. The council also called for the trial of AL leaders at the International Crimes Tribunal for their alleged role in the so-called “July Genocide.”
“The interim government’s decision to suspend the activities of the Awami League was necessary to safeguard national security and sovereignty,” the petition read, referring to recent waves of student and public protests across the country.
GOP leaders claimed that the Awami League and its allies enforced a “one-party fascist regime” and aided perpetrators of grave human rights violations. The petition said these political groups must be held accountable for supporting state violence and undermining democratic institutions.
“We expect the Election Commission to take swift and impartial action to cancel the registrations of the Awami League, the Jatiya Party, and other allied parties. This is essential to restore public confidence and uphold justice,” the GOP petition added.
Rashed Khan further alleged that GM Quader and his party played a “supportive and complicit” role in legitimizing the actions of the former government, particularly during crackdowns on public dissent, student movements, and political opposition.
“While the people are demanding justice and accountability, parties like JaPa remain untouched. GM Quader has been part of every compromise that undermined democracy and enabled authoritarianism,” Khan added.
He also criticised what he termed as a “double standard” in the application of justice, noting that while members of opposition groups are being targeted or detained under various charges, allies of the previous ruling party continue to operate freely.