Staff Reporter:
A new 20-party political alliance, titled the National Democratic Front (NDF), was launched yesterday under the leadership of two factions of the Jatiya Party, led respectively by Barrister Anisul Islam Mahmud and Anwar Hossain Manju.
The alliance was announced at a press conference held at a convention hall in Gulshan yesterday, attend-ed by leaders of the two factions of Jatiya Party – JaPa and JP– and other member parties.
Anwar Hossain Manju has been named the chief adviser of the alliance, while ABM Ruhul Amin How-lader, secretary general of a faction of Jatiya Party, will serve as spokesperson.
Golam Sarwar Milon, acting chairman of Janata Party Bangladesh, has been appointed secretary general of the NDF.
Alongside JaPa and JP, the other member parties include Janata Party Bangladesh, Bangladesh Jatiya Party, Trinamool BNP, Bangladesh Sanskritic Muktijot, Bangladesh Nationalist Movement, Bangladesh Muslim League, Jatiya Islamic Mahajote, Jatiya Sangskar Jote, Bangladesh Labour Party, Jatiya Shwad-hinata Party, Bangladesh Manbadhikar Party, Bangladesh Sarbajanin Dal, Bangladesh Janakalyan Party, Applied Democratic Party, Bangladesh Ganatantrik Andolon, Democratic Party, and Bangladesh Jatiya League
At the press conference, Anisul Islam said, “We have decided to form this political alliance to ensure genuine democratic transformation, build national consensus to overcome the ongoing political crisis, uphold the spirit of the Liberation War, and reflect the aspirations of the July 2024 mass uprising.”
“We want to advance state reforms, promote Bangladeshi nationalism, strengthen centrist liberal demo-cratic politics, uphold Islamic values and interfaith harmony and to establish an independent judiciary, end fascism, and give voice to citizens seeking good governance,” he added.
Anisul Islam said the alliance members will maintain their own ideology and identity while participating in future elections and political activities based on shared principles and agreed demands.
A meeting was held on November 30 to draft the outline of the new alliance. Sixteen parties attended that discussion, with several more expressing interest in joining later.
