The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Almost all the leaders of Gano Forum are firm against joining the Awami League led proposed grand alliance incorporating Jatiya Party of HM Ershad and some other "communal fundamentalist parties."

But, party chief Dr Kamal Hossain is yet to make his stand clear on the issue. "We are still in the 14-party alliance on the basis of 23-point resolution and those who want to join us will have to endorse it," Dr Kamal said at a press conference at his residence following standing committee meeting of Gano Forum.

Asked whether his party would remain in the grand alliance if Jatiya Party of Ershad, Islami Oikkya Jote of Shaikhul Hadis and some other Islamist and semi-Islamist parties join it after endorsing the 23-point resolution of 14-party, he said, "we will seek public opinion about it."

However, other leaders beside him raised their voice at one saying, "No we will never join."

Apparently indignant with the vague stance of Dr Kamal on the issue senior politician and presidium member of the party Commander Abdur Rouf stood leaving the seat beside Dr Kamal saying, "The question of forging alliance with Ershad and communal parties does not arise at all."

Dr Kamal, however, criticised big political parties for creating confusion about the December 18 general election by threatening to boycott it.

He said their condition of withdrawal of corruption cases against their leaders was ultra vires to the constitution.

He said some caretaker advisers were supplicating too much to political parties blamed for pervasive corruption during their regimes.

Apparently targeting four advisers who are assigned to hold dialogue with political parties, Dr Kamal said they were doing such assignments beyond their constitutional mandate.

He particularly came down heavily on the advisers for the ministries of law and commerce without naming them, saying that they were desperate to ensure participation of some major political parties that are blamed for widespread corruption.

He termed Commerce Adviser Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman as "Mini Kissinger" for his active efforts to negotiate with the parties.

"The Commerce Adviser has no right to do business with the people's political and constitutional rights. He should concentrate on his ministry," he said.

"The Law Adviser should deal with law-related issues instead of political matters," he added.

He criticised the major political parties for their demands of unconditionally releasing their top leaders who face charges of corruption.

"It's not acceptable when they threaten to boycott elections unless their top leaders are free," he said.

Party leaders Pankaj Bhattachariya, Abdur Rauf, Khatibuddin Ahmed, Altaf Hossain and Kafiluddin Ahmed, among others, were present at the briefing.