Ganatantra Mancha, a coalition of seven political parties, was launched yesterday with its leaders promising to fight for the people.
The formation of the coalition was announced during a press conference at Dhaka Reporters Unity yesterday afternoon. The members of the alliance also announced protests on various issues from Thursday.
The alliance consists of a faction of Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (Rab), Nagorik Oikya, Biplobi Workers Party, Gono Odhikar Parishad, Bhasani Onusari Parishad, Rastra Sangskar Andolon, and Gonosamhati Andolon.
Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) President ASM Abdur Rab announced the formation of the alliance.
“Ganatantra Mancha will carry the hopes of the people's liberation,” he said
Rab added that the alliance would conduct an anti-government movement in the open and without resorting to conspiracies.
He urged the public to participate in the alliance’s struggle in the coming days to establish the rights of the people.
President of Nagorik Oikya Mahmudur Rahman Manna said Ganatantra Mancha would begin their protest and movement in Dhaka fromThursday, and details would be announced later.
Convener of the People's Rights Council Reza Kibria and Member Secretary Nurul Haque Nur, Chief Coordinator of Ganasanghati Andolan Junaid Saki, and Saiful Islam of Revolutionary Workers Party were also present at the press conference, among others.
The alliance said the current government should resign ahead of the next general election to ensure the voting rights of the people.
“The National Parliament must be declared dissolved and power transferred to an interim government formed on the basis of a political consensus,” leaders of the alliance said.
They called for establishing a balance of power between the executive and the judiciary, building an effective system of government accountability, constitutional reforms for proportional elections and a bicameral parliament system, along with the formation of a national commission to discuss a federal system of government.
According to an outline from the alliance, the complete independence of the judiciary should be ensured, lower courts should be completely separated from executive bodies, and lower court management and supervision should be entrusted to the hands of the High Court.
The alliance also called for specific policies regarding the appointment and promotion of judges, including the Chief Justice, and to ensure the freedom of the media.
They added that equal opportunities should be ensured for all people by establishing a sustainable and nature-friendly basis for mass employment in the country.
Ganatantra Mancha members JSD and Nagarik Oikya were previously partners of BNP in the Jatiya Oikya Front.
Five parties of Ganatantra Mancha participated in dialogues BNP held with various parties on building anti-government movement.
On August 3, the launched of this alliance was announced in a discussion in Dhaka. On that day, the leader of Nagorik Oikya Mahmudur Rahman Manna and the leader of the People's Rights Nurul haque nur said that they want to become a third force beyond Awami League and BNP.
The leaders claimed Awami League and BNP were the same in terms of character.