Efforts by three political parties for a few years saw the birth of the NDF comprising Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh (BDB), Jatiya Samajtantrik
Dal (JSD) and Bangladesh Krishak Sramik Janata League (BKSJL) on Thursday ahead of January 5 elections.
The policies and principles of the NDF include bringing meaningful and qualitative changes in politics, not accepting any political programme
that hampers normal livelihood of the people, cancelling of 15th amendment to the constitution, decentralisation of power, formation of
bicameral legislature and ensuring a permanent solution to the election time-government.
As per the policies and principles, none will be allowed to be elected prime minister more than two terms, none cannot be the head of the
state and party chief together and bringing balance of power between the president and the prime minister.
Addressing the launching ceremony, BDB president Prof Dr AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury explained that they formed the new alliance
outside the two major alliances to carry forward the country based on minimum programmes.
“The immediate cause of formation of the alliance is that was to prevent the government move to hold lopsided polls with a view to
establishing a one-party government,” he said.
He called upon like minded parties, organisations and individuals to join them.
The former President said all the countries in the world except one have taken stand against the January 5 lopsided elections.
He apprehended that there would be no opposition party or person to raise their voice against injustice and misdeeds if the Awami League
could form a government and continues for five years.
B Chowdhury termed the ensuing election farcical and being enforced on the people and said such farcical elections was not held in anywhere
in the world.
Referring to the civil war in the South Sudan leaving thousands people killed and homeless, and interference of a neighbouring country, he
questioned whether country’s independence and sovereignty would not be at stalk if international peace keeping forces are deployed in the
country and the elections are held at the behest of a foreign country.
JSD president ASM Abdur Rob said the country passing through a critical time as the government is pushing the country towards civil
war and destroying instability in the country.
He said there is no guarantee of natural death as the government has become desperate.
Criticising the arrest senior BNP leaders, he said even no foolish would believe Moudud, Anwar or Mintoo, who were implicated “false
cases”, can set fire on the vehicles.
“Bangladesh will turn into a friendless country, if the prevailing situation is continued. Many countries will not maintain their
relations with it,” he added.
He called upon the government to stop suicidal politics and said the freedom fighters did not take part in the war of liberation to be
turned into toys.
“There is still time. Please postpone the election schedule and cancel the Election Commission to overcome the situation,” he added.
Referring to the extra judicial killings, the JSD leader said the British government did not carry out such barbaric mass killing.
“It appears that the country is being run in the behest of another country and we are living in a country where we have been given
asylum,” he added.
BKSJL president Bangabir Kader Siddiqui, Bir Uttam, said the new alliance was formed to free the country from destruction and fulfil
the hopes and aspirations of the people by maintaining equal distance from the two alliances.
Terming the election nothing but a selection, he said there is not a single candidate out of the components of the grand alliance.
He called upon people involved in election duty not to go to polling centres.
The BKSJL leader said after election of 154 candidates uncontested he did not find any reason to deploy army during the voter less elections
to make them make unpopular.
Referring to the opposition’s December 29 Dhaka March programme, he said there would be none to obstruct the marchers carrying with
red-green national flags.
Kader Siddiqui said once upon a time the people would come out from their homes if the government continues its stubbornness and
repression on them.
Abdul Malek Raton, general; secretary of JSD read out a seven-point programme detailing policies and principles of the NDF.
He said they would have moral support to those would give programme against holding of lopsided and illegal polls. – Staff Reporter
