Dhaka, Jan 22: BNP and Khelafat Majlis have agreed on seven issues, including holding the national election by 2025 and strengthening national unity to prevent the reemergence of the fallen fascists.
“We have agreed on seven points, including the quick withdrawal of all false cases against the leaders and workers of the political parties that were part of the movement. In light of this, we will work, especially to achieve unity among the Islamic parties and to form national unity with all,” Khelafat Majlis Secretary General Ahmed Abdul Kader said on Wednesday after a meeting with BNP.
The nine-member delegation, led by Khelafat Majlis Ameer Maulana Abdul Basit Azad, held an hour-long meeting with BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan at the BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office.
Abdul Kader said they focused on maintaining the national unity that led to the success of the July-August mass uprising.
He said they have been witnessing some political parties’ statements and activities that go against the spirit of national unity. “Our stance is in favour of unity, not division. It is important to unite now for the sake of the nation. That is why we have come to talk with BNP…. we agreed with them on different issues.”
Kader said the major issues on which they reached an agreement with the BNP include forging unity among anti-fascist political parties, continuing inter-party dialogue to consolidate national unity, completing the necessary reforms quickly, and holding national elections by 2025.
Other key points are controlling commodity prices, taking steps to improve the law and order situation, playing a positive role in upholding Islamic values and protecting religious harmony, maintaining national unity to prevent the reemergence of fallen autocrats and fascists, ensuring the speedy trial of those involved in murder, disappearance, and torture, and promptly withdrawing the false cases filed against ulema and political leaders and activists during the Awami regime.
Khelafat Majlis, one of the components of the BNP-led 20-party alliance, had quit the BNP’s coalition in 2021, reportedly under duress from the then Awami League government.
This was the first time the party held a formal meeting with the BNP after leaving the alliance.
The meeting is seen as very significant, as it was held a day after Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Andolon Bangladesh announced they would work together in the interests of the country, Islam, and humanity.
Jamaat Ameer Shafiqur Rahman and IAB Ameer Syed Md Rezaul Karim made the announcement while speaking to reporters at the Charmonai Darbar Sharif in Barishal, indicating a new political polarisation.
However, a BNP Standing Committee member said there is nothing to be worried about regarding the unity of Jamaat and IAB.
Talking to reporters after the meeting with Khelafat Majlis, he said, “There is nothing to be concerned about. Whoever is doing politics in Bangladesh, those who have similar views can think about working together… there is no reason for anyone to be worried about that.”
Nazrul said that at one time, one party opposed and criticised another, but later, during a movement, they became united. “This is nothing unusual… It has happened many times before that people who were once in agreement later disagreed.”
He said there was no reason to be surprised or overly concerned about this, as he believed that political parties would act according to their political beliefs.
Nazrul said BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has already declared that if their party forms the government, they will work together for the welfare of the people with the parties that waged the movement against the Awami fascist regime.
He said they discussed the existing socio-economic and political situation with the Khelafat Majlis leaders and ways to fulfill the aspirations of the people. “There’s no disagreement between us over the issues we discussed.”