Nationalist forces to form alliance against AL in B'Desh

Dhaka, Oct 21 (UNI) Bangladesh Nationalist Party is working towards forming an alliance of the nationalist forces to contest elections against the Awami League (AL) led 14-party combine.

The party was preparing for the restructuring at the central level. The standing committee meeting was scheduled this week to discuss issues, settle the internal discord and ensure that the party remained united.

''Forming an effective grand alliance is possible only if the warring factions agree to patch things up,'' Daily Star quoted a senior BNP leader as saying.

BNP secretary general Khandaket Delwar Hossain yesterday said there might be disagreement at an individual level but there was no division in the BNP.

''There might be a difference of opinion between some leaders but there is no disunity within the rank and file,'' standing committee member Dr RA Gani observed.

Some leaders of Jatiya Party, Liberal Democratic Party and other like-minded organisations were also working on unity of nationalist forces under BNP.

They would look to mount a challenge to the AL-led 14-party combine which has lately been active to gain strength in the context of changing political scenario.

Jatiya Party (Ershad) Presidium Member Ziauddin Bablu said, ''We want a patriotic nationalist force in the greater interest of the nation.'' Jatiya Party (Ershad) and Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) had joined the AL-led grand electoral alliance but the alliance disbanded soon after the parliamentary election was suspended.

UNI