Speakers at a discussion on Sunday called for formation of an alliance among the country’s leftist political parties to have their strong and effective participation in the next national election.
They made the call while speaking at the discussion titled "The Role and Responsibilities of Leftists in the July 2024 Movement," held at the National Press Club in the capital.
AFM Mahbubul Haque Smriti Sangsad and the Socialist Party of Bangladesh (BaSaD) arranged the event, marking the 7th death anniversary of leftist leader Mahbubul Haque.
The speakers highlighted the historical struggles of the left political parties in Bangladesh and called for unity among them to build an equitable society where all people regardless of their race, gender and religion will live in peace.
They stressed that all the left political parties of the country need to forge an alliance like the ‘United Front’ formed in 1954 in the greater national interest.
The speakers said that political instability and state repression have weakened the left political parties, who have been fighting for a great cause for more than a century.
In his speech, Professor Serajul Islam Choudhury, a renowned academic, said the past ‘fascist’ regimes had served the interests of the affluent instead of serving general people.
He pointed out that a ruling party always fears fair elections. "The country now faces a political vacuum," Professor Chowdhury said adding, “It is the leftists who can fill this gap by forming a 'United Front' to present a real vision for people's liberation."
He also stressed the need for unity of left parties to challenge the current system and make a government that truly represents the people, laying emphasis on the importance of socialist policies in achieving just society.
Mujahidul Islam Selim, former president of the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), reflected on the historical role of leftist movements in the country, particularly during the 1969 uprising and the 1971 liberation struggle.
He said that while the left had led these historic movements, the major leftist leaders failed to maintain leadership after the victory, which allowed the bourgeoisie to reclaim power.
Selim urged the leftist organisations to have confidence in their ability to bring about change. "We need more than just return to the past. What is needed now is a complete overhaul of the economic, state and administrative structures," he added.
Speaking at the discussion, Economist Professor Anu Muhammad pointed out the disparity between the demands of the people and the government's actions.
He noted that while the July 2024 uprising had created a wave of public awareness, the current government has failed to reflect the aspirations in its policies.
Anu Muhammad criticised the left parties like JSD and Workers Party in the Awami League-led alliance saying that these groups no longer represent true socialist values rather they work for the interests of bourgeois. "Only the leftist can build a fair and just society," he said.
The programme began with one-minute of silence to pay respect to A F M Mahbubul Haque, a leading figure in the socialist movement who dedicated his life to the struggle for workers' rights and social justice.
Soharab Hasan, Joint Editor of The Daily Prothom Alo, journalist Mahbub Kamal, Harunur Rashid Bhuiyan, coordinator of the Workers' Struggle Coordination Committee, and Nasir Uddin Ahmed Nasu, coordinator of the Anti-Fascist Left Alliance, among others, spoke at the event chaired by Abu Saeed Khan, convener of the A F M Mahbubul Haque Smriti Sangsad, and moderated by Mahin Uddin Chowdhury Liton, a leader of BASAD.
