B’desh: Is a new govt-backed coalition forming…?

by Md. Fazlur Rahman & Manik Miazee in Dhaka Tribune, Aug 4, 2017
Several prominent politicians have been meeting each other recently in an effort to form a shadow coalition for the upcoming elections, sources say.
On Wednesday, JSD President ASM Abdur Rab, General Secretary Abdul Malek Ratan, Nagorik Oikya Convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna and Gano Forum’s Executive President Subrata Chowdhury, Jatiya Party Co-Chairman GM Quader attended a meeting at Bikalpadhara Bangladesh President AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury’s home.
A participant of the meeting, seeking anonymity, told the Dhaka Tribune: “If BNP decides to boycott the elections then this coalition can help win 20 seats.”
“On July 13, when the police barred their meeting at Rab’s house, it was actually a political ploy to show people that this coalition was happening,” he said.
Sources said: “As the leaders of the newly formed coalition are well-known respectable people, the election results will be acceptable if they participate.”
Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD-Rob) General Secretary Abdul Malek Ratan said: “This meeting was held to form a new political coalition.”
Nagorik Oikya Convener and former AL organising secretary Mahmudur Rahman Manna told the Dhaka Tribune: “We want to form a new political coalition beyond the two major political alliances led by Awami League and BNP.
“We want a free and fair election where all parties can participate, and the results will be acceptable to everyone. If the Jatiya Party severs all ties with the Awami League then we will talk to them about joining this new coalition.”
A source very close to HM Ershad told the Dhaka Tribune that Ershad has plans to leave the Awami League alliance in all capacities and wants to participate in the upcoming election on his own. The newly-formed coalition has come as a blessing to Ershad because now he can quit the Awami League alliance and join with the new coalition.
Bikalpadhara Bangladesh President Badruddoza Chowdhury told the Dhaka Tribune that they discussed a new political alliance during the meeting on Wednesday, adding: “You will be notified if we have any news.”
During a press briefing at HM Ershad’s office in Banani, he said: “I will leave my post as the prime minister’s special envoy after speaking with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Four members of the cabinet from the Jatiya party will also leave.”
Meanwhile, Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader and BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir both welcomed the formation of the new coalition.
http://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/politics/2017/08/04/new-govt-backed-coalition-forming/