Frustration among small mahajote partners

The 14-party alliance led by ruling Awami League (AL) has become mostly non-functional since winning power in the last elections. The alliance may break away anytime, sources said.

The alliance was formed to fight together against the then government, take part in the election and also to form government in coalition.

But AL having won a land slide victory in December 2008, could not keep its promise. Sheikh Hasina formed her cabinet unilaterally without discussing with any alliance partner.

Only Dilip Barua of Shyamabadi Dal was made a minister. But Leaders of Workers Party (WP), Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD), Ganotantri Party (GP) and others were not accommodated.

Hasina rewarded Jatiya Party presidium member and younger brother of Ershad as a minister in her cabinet according to her own decision, without discussing it with JP.

The 14-party did not nominate candidates jointly in the last election, rather Awami Legue took decisions about choosing candidates though it offered four seat to JSD leaders and three seats to WP leaders.

Mistrust and discontent are growing day by day as the partners of AL are becoming disillusioned and feeling ignored.

The left-leaning parties are now actively considering to review their position in the alliance and act accordingly. But, as some of the leaders of JSD and WP are still hopeful of getting ministerial posts in the government they are not making any harsh comment in public.

Virtually, the leaders of other parties are eagerly waiting for blessing of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina the same way the AL leaders are giving the test of patience.

But it has become almost difficult for them to keep their position and individual party characters intact. Some of the parties might be integrated with AL.

Some leftist parties might even consider break away with the alliance to retain their own identity. WP broke away twice on issue of participation in election in alliance.

AL is rather trying to swallow some of its allies, it is alleged. Political analysts are not finding anything different in Dilip Barua’s party.

Amina Ahmed, wife of National Awami Party (NAP) President Mozaffer Ahmed, is now an MP of Ruling AL. But, she is still a presidium member of NAP. The party, having a historical background, may fade away in AL.

AL also tried to swallow GP. It promised a seat to its late leader Nurul Islam who was a candidate for Chatkhil-Sonaimuri constituency in the last election. But, after his mysterious death GP did not get any nomination.

However, the AL made late Nurul Islam’s wife Prof Rubi Rahman an MP from its reserve women seats’ quota, without bothering to discuss it with the leaders of GP. Rubi Rahman is also a central committee member of GP and was supposed to contest in Chatkhil-Sonaimuri seat following the death of Nurul Islam.

WP president Rashed Khan Menon told the New Nation that they are not commenting anything about their early declaration of forming government of 14-party alliance as the time is yet to come.

He said, “We hoped that the question of alliance will be considered while forming the government. But it did not happen. But, we still hope that it will be considered.”

JSD president Hasanul Huq Inu said, “This government does not reflect the totality of our alliance. The mohajote is in the midway of forming the government.”

GP presidium member Dr Md Shahidullah said, “AL should recognise the importance of other partners of the alliance. It would be difficult to keep the alliance intact unless other partners get their recognition.”

Source: New Nation