The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Gano Forum (GF) has decided not to stay in the Mahajote (Mega electoral alliance) led by Awami League (AL) that also includes Jatiya Party (JP) of former military dictator HM Ershad.

Rather it has called for building a united front (Jukta Front) with non-communal, democratic, progressive and pro-liberation forces on a common programme.

Presidium, the highest policy making body of the party reached a decision in this regard at a meeting yesterday. Presidium Member Pankaj Bhattachariya presided over the meeting in absence of party chief Dr Kamal Hossain.

"We will not form alliance with Jatiya Party and so we will not join the Mahajote. We cannot form alliance sacrificing our principle and ideology," Pankaj Bhattachariya told the New Nation over telephone last night.

"We are interested to form a united front with pro-liberation forces," he added.

Asked about their position regarding AL, the seasoned politician said, "We are not thinking to exclude Awami League, as we consider it a pro-liberation party. But if Awami League excludes itself from us, then we have nothing to do."

After the presidium meeting Gano Forum released a press statement urging the caretaker government and the election commission not to compromise with "the corrupt, criminalised evil political forces and anti-liberation elements" and to stick to its reform moves.

"Don't' pursue weak-kneed policy for placating corrupt, criminalised and anti-liberation elements," it said to the Government and the EC.

Explaining its position regarding the Mahajote the GF said it would be tantamount to no-confidence in democracy and independence if compromise is made with autocrats, communal forces and war criminals in the name of election strategy.

"It will also be a worst example of sick politics of merely election and power," the GF also said in its resolution, in the wake of what appears to be a turnabout from the much-hyped 1/11 changeover.

The Gano Forum urged the people to remain alert about conspiracy of certain quarters to foil the election, set for December 18.

It also called for building Jukta Front with non-communal, democratic, progressive and pro-liberation forces on minimum programme.

The presidium meeting at Gano Forum office was attended by Commander (Retd) Abdur Rouf, Mafizul Islam Khan, ex-Whip Mostafa Mohsin Mantu and Jamaluddin.