Senior BNP leader Moudud Ahmed yesterday said components of the Awami League-led ruling coalition including former president HM Ershad's Jatiya Party who "believe in democracy will join the opposition alliance".
In his reaction to Moudud's claim, Ershad said he doesn't believe in democracy of those who had kept him in the jail so that he could not participate in the election.
A former military dictator, Ershad was first sent to jail after his fall in 1990. During the BNP rule from 1991 to 1996, he did not get bail in any of the cases filed against him. He was granted bail after AL came to power in 1996.
Speaking at a discussion in the capital yesterday afternoon, Moudud said the parties who want to see democracy in the country are joining in the ongoing protests led by BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia.
Swadhinata Forum, a pro-opposition organisation, arranged the meeting at the National Press Club.
"Everyone should unite under the leadership of Khaleda Zia, as this government has snatched people's right to vote by scrapping the caretaker system from the constitution," said Moudud, who also served as prime minister and vice-president under Ershad.
Even parties like Ershad's Jatiya Party who are now in the AL-led alliance will join the opposition camp, he claimed.
Talking to The Daily Star last night, Ershad said he will consider the interests of the country and his party before taking any decision.
"But so far, none has talked to me in this regard," he added.
His close aide and JP presidium member Ziauddin Ahmed Bablu, however, said they believe in democracy and that is why they will continue to be with the grand alliance.
"We are against those who want to reinstate an undemocratic system like caretaker government by creating chaos and anarchy with the help of communal forces," he told The Daily Star.
Some BNP leaders have hinted that the main opposition party may soon approach JP for its support.
In efforts to form a greater platform to campaign for the caretaker government system, BNP is communicating with different political parties.
Its acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has already had a meeting with Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh President AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury and contacted Liberal Democratic Party President Oli Ahmed.
Both BDB and LDP have endorsed BNP's demand for reinstatement of the caretaker government system to oversee the next general election.
Mirza Fakhrul will today meet Krishak Sramik Janata League President Kader Siddiqui at the latter's house at around 7:30pm.
Siddiqui told The Daily Star that he and Fakhrul will meet to discuss the prevailing political situation.
Meanwhile, AL General Secretary Syed Ashraful Islam yesterday said the grand alliance will stay as it is. "Unity among the parties in the alliance will remain intact," he said addressing a press briefing at the party's Dhanmondi office.
Source : The Daily Star
