Alongside the existing 14-party alliance, around 20 more political parties, which believe in the great War of Liberation and democracy, are found to be willing to join hands with the ruling Awami League to help fight the anti-government movement.
According to sources, at least 10 Islamist parties and 10 other political parties, which are not the partners of any alliance yet, might be gathered under a single umbrella led by the Awami League.
Another source said, those parties might also be gathered in two separate platforms. Both the platforms will act separately under leadership of the Awami League.
All those 20 parties, whether they would be gathered in a single platform or in two, would work in favour of Awami League and fight BNP, Jamaat, fundamentalists, anti-liberation forces and other sectors engaged in hatching conspiracies against the state at home and abroad, the sources said.
A source in the Awami League said that at least 10 Islamist parties are ready to float a new alliance under the leadership of the Awami League.
Under the banner of 'Liberal Islami Jote' those parties may announce their alliance on July 29.
Bangladesh Islami Oikya Jote, Bangladesh Ulama Mashayekh, Bangladesh Islamic Democratic League, Ashekan-e-Aulia, United Islami Party, Islami Front Bangladesh, Bangladesh Supreme Party, Bangladesh Krishok Shramik Party, Pragatisheel NAP, Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Andolan (BNM) are among the parties which are going to join hands with the Awami League.
According to sources, all these parties had been trying to join hands with AL or the 14-party alliance for the last few years. But, it could not be possible for some reason. Now, the way of formation of new alliances has become open to all.
According to sources, since the National Parliamentary election is expected to be held in the last week of the month of December or in the first week of January, 2024, the BNP, Jamaat and their like-minded parties are trying to forge an anti-government movement.
Sources also said that undemocratic and anti-liberation forces, in support of fundamentalist groups, are trying to destablise the situation of the country. Besides, conspirators have become active at home and home.
In this circumstance, the ruling Awami League wants to strengthen its hands and tighten ties with its allies. Therefore, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday night held a meeting with the leaders of the 14-party alliance, which has been walking together for more than a decade.
At the meeting, the 14-party alliance leaders promised that under the leadership of the Awami League, they all together will fight against BNP, Jamaat, anti-liberation and fundamentalist forces.
The 14-party alliance decided to take part in the next national election jointly to keep democracy continuing as per the constitution.
At the meeting, the issue of the joining of many more parties with the AL led alliance was discussed. Then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina hinted that more alliances could be formed.
Sheikh Hasina, also the president of Awami League, instructed the party's general secretary Obaidul Quader and 14-party alliance coordinator Amir Hossain Amu to initiate the formation of new alliances.
According to sources, she also directed them to promptly engage in discussions with the concerned parties and submit a report detailing their progress.
Amir Hossain Amu, spokesperson of the 14-party alliance and a member of the AL's advisory council, said that the process of forming the alliances would start next week. Currently, the list of potential alliance partners is being finalised.
As per sources from the 19 July meeting, it was discussed that parties currently not affiliated with existing alliances but sharing the spirit of the liberation war will be brought together under a unified alliance.
Additionally, Islamic parties that are presently unaffiliated with any existing alliance but supportive of the government will be consolidated under an Islamic alliance.
According to sources, the leaders assigned with the task of forming new alliances will engage in discussions with Allama Syed Bahadur Shah Mojaddedi, chairman of the Islamic Front Bangladesh, to explore the possibility of creating an alliance with Islamic parties.
Allama Mojaddedi said that they will extend their support to the government.
"If a new alliance is formed, it will include political parties that share the Sunni ideology and are not currently aligned with any alliance. The objective of this alliance would be to counter the negative activities of the BNP-Jamaat on the streets," he said.
Allama Mojaddedi said, "In addition to our party, there are around 10 political parties that share the Sunni ideology, including the Jamiat Ulamae Islam Bangladesh and the Bangladesh Islamic Front. We plan to create a new Islamic alliance with these parties to lend support to the Awami League."
He also emphasised that they will commence the process of forming the alliance promptly upon receiving the official invitation.
Sayeed Saifuddin Ahmed Al Hasani, chairman of the Bangladesh Supreme Party, which has been finalised for EC registration, said they are ready to participate in the upcoming national election.
