The leaders of the alliance of left parties ‘Democratic United Front’ met with the Acting Chairman of BNP Tariq Rahman. The meeting was held at the BNP Chairperson’s office in Gulshan on Monday morning. During this time, the leaders discussed various issues including the current political situation of the country, law and order and economic situation, the upcoming parliamentary elections and the rise of radical and communal forces.
Ahead of the 13th National Assembly elections, the Democratic United Front was formed on November 29 with 9 leftist and progressive political parties, including Bangladesh Jasad, Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), and Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal (Basad).
Bazlur Rashid Firoz, general secretary of BAS, spoke to reporters after the meeting with Tariq Rahman, who will soon take over as the party chief. He said, ‘Mainly we have gone to this meeting to express our condolences to Khaleda Zia’s death as her son Tariq Rahman and the bereaved family and team. Our intention was to express our sympathy and condolences in this time of bereavement.’
Regarding the topics discussed in the meeting, the Basad leader said that the overall political situation of the country, the law and order situation and the upcoming elections were also discussed. Especially the rise of fundamentalist and communal forces in the country were also discussed.
Bazlur Rashid said that Tarek Rahman said that since he returned to the country on December 25, the liberation war of 71 years is the foundation of our state. Excluding the liberation war, Bangladesh does not exist. At the same time, we must move forward by holding the aspirations of the mass uprising of the 90s and the mass uprising of 2024.
Bazlur Rashid also said, Tariq Rahman said, ‘Believers, non-believers, skeptics – everyone will be in this country and we have to move forward with everyone. BNP has a plan to build a liberal, democratic and welfare state. He thinks there may be differences of opinion. But on people’s questions, there will be mutual exchange of views on important issues of the country. A harmonious political environment should be developed.
The general secretary of BAS said that Tariq Rahman was told on their behalf that it is necessary to build a political culture in the country, where there will be political tolerance, absolute tolerance and philosophical tolerance. They insisted that the anti-independence forces that opposed the liberation war of 1971 should not be able to raise their heads in the politics of Bangladesh.
CPB presidium member Mujahidul Islam Salim, President Kazi Sajjad Zahir Chandan, General Secretary Abdullah Al Kafi Ratan, Assistant General Secretary Rajekuzzaman Ratan, Bangladesh Jasdar General Secretary Nazmul Haque, Chief and Standing Committee Member Mostak Hossain, Executive President of Bangladesh Socialist Party Abdul Ali, General Secretary of Democratic Revolutionary Party Moshrafa Mishu, Bangladesh Revolutionary Party were also present in the meeting on behalf of Democratic United Front. Communist League general secretary Iqbal Kabir Zahid, editorial board member Abdus Sattar and BAS (Marxist) coordinator Masood Rana. Apart from this, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir was present.
