A new alliance named "Samamona Ganatantrik Jote" comprising 15 political parties came to the fore yesterday and joined the BNP's 10-point anti-government movement.
The alliance leaders held a press conference held at the BNP chairperson's Gulshan office in the capital.
BNP Standing Committee Member Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku made the announcement of the new alliance and said that it would be a part of the simultaneous anti-government movement led by the BNP.
Speaking on the occasion, Tuku said: “The people of the country have a dream…it is democracy. I have cast my vote and it must be valued. The Pakistanis did not value the voting rights of the people and that's why there was an upsurge.”
Representatives of the 15 parties were present at the press conference.
The attendees were Youth Forum President Saidur Rahman, Zia Nagorik Sangsad President Adv Mainuddin Majumder, Democratic Movement President Azizul Hai Sohag, Shaheed Zia Ainjibi Parishad President Adv Abu Yusuf Sarker, Bangladesh Jatiotabadi Nagorik Dol President Peerjada Omar Faruk, Bangladesh Justice Party President Md Nazrul Islam, Sangbidhan Sangrakkhon Parishad President Adv Atikur Rahman, Ganatantra Rokkha Moncho President Monwar Hossain Beig, Jatiotabadi Chalok Dol President Md Shahjahan, Jatiotabadi Muktijoddha 71 President Ansar Rahman Shikder, Ghure Darao Bangladesh President Kader Siddique, Movement for Democracy President Riaz Uddin Ahmed, Bangladesh Democratic Council President Bahadur Ahmed Pintu, Desh Rokkha Manush Bachao Andolan President Aziza Sultana, and Bangladesh Juba Oikya Parishad President Md Omar Faruk.
After the BNP-led four-party alliance became ineffective, 32 parties expressed solidarity with the BNP's 10-point movement under different platforms, including the 12-Party Alliance and Ganatantra Mancha. and
They observed mass processions at different points of Dhaka on December 30 and declared a sit-in program across the country for January 12. Former BNP ally Jamaat-e-Islami observed the program separately.
In August last year, another political alliance, "Ganatantra Mancha" was launched comprising six political parties and a socio-cultural organization. They also observed the BNP's program on December 10.
The seven members are Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (Rob), Nagarik Oikya, Gono Odhikar Parishad, Ganosamhati Andolan, Revolutionary Workers Party of Bangladesh, Rastra Sanskar Andolan and Bhashani Onusari Parishad.