Hasina deal with Bangladesh Islamists sparks criticism

DHAKA, Dec 26 (Reuters) Bangladesh's former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has struck a deal with a radical Islamic group ahead of next month's parliamentary elections, a leader of the group confirmed today.

But the agreement between Hasina's Awami League and Khelafat Majlis, considered a pro-Taliban movement with some of its leaders and activists allegedly trained in Afghanistan, has drawn widespread criticism for derailing Hasina's policy of secularism and stance against radicalism.

A Majlis leader today confirmed the deal, concluded at the weekend, saying: ''Now we will be able to contest some seats as part of a bigger group.'' Terms of the agreement included enacting a blasphemy law and allowing ''fatwa'' -- an edict against anyone criticising Islam or its teachings.

''This is horrible...and unacceptable,'' said Hasanul Haque Inu, a Hasina ally and head of the Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal party.

''We don't take any responsibility for the deal. It will influence our election results,'' said Rashed Khan Memon, chief of Workers' Party and another backer of Hasina.

But Abdul Jalil, general secretary of Awami League, said the aim of the deal was to muster strength to defeat Hasina's main rivals, immediate past prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia's Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its ally Jamaat-e-Islami.

Also entering the race with Hasina are the Jatiya Party of former military ruler Hossain Mohammad Ershad and the Liberal Democratic Party made up of BNP dissidents.

But analysts and some Hasina supporters said Khelafat Majlis, who unsuccessfully lobbied the BNP for a berth ahead of the January 22 poll, was a much more radical group.

The country's Election Commission had extended the deadline for candidate nominations until today in an effort to lure the Awami League, whose decision to enter the election race raised hopes of a respite from the impoverished South Asian nation's long running political impasse.

At least 50 people were injured in sporadic clashes between Awami League and BNP supporters as they gathered at an election office in the capital Dhaka to submit nominations today, witnesses said. Police fired teargas and used batons to disperse the fighting groups, a Reuters cameraman said.

Hasina's alliance was now working on a formula to share seats in the coming vote, party officials said. Under the formula, the Awami League has agreed not to nominate candidates in constituencies contested by allies, mirroring a similar deal Khaleda's BNP struck with its partners.

Hasina, who has yet to clarify her stance in the face of growing criticism, and Khaleda are the main contenders for power in the coming polls. The two women have alternated as prime minister for the last 15 years.

Khaleda ended her five-year term as prime minister late in October and handed power to an interim government headed by President Iajuddin Ahmed. The interim authority is obliged to hold new elections within three months.

Out of Bangladesh parliament's 345 seats, 300 are contested directly while 45 are nominated by the majority party in the legislature.

REUTERS MS VV1454