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Ganatantra Mancha detaches itself from BNP, plans solo protests

Ganatantra Mancha detaches  itself from BNP, plans solo protests

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The opposition alliance, Ganatantra Manch, announced separate movement programmes, distancing themselves from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).

The Manch, a coalition of seven opposition parties, is reportedly displeased with BNP's inability to finalize a joint declaration of movement against the current government.

The BNP is presently spearheading movement programmes for their 14-point demand, along with a 27-point state reform proposal.

The Ganatantra Manch, meanwhile, has outlined a 14-point demand for their movement. Despite having similar agendas, the two parties have seen relations sour, causing a cessation of their simultaneous movements since last month.

Ganatantra Manch coordinator, Saiful Huq, addressed a press conference at the Sanghati Auditorium in Segun-bagicha, outlining the party's movement plans.

These include a foot march in the Dhaka south city area on May 23, starting from the Jatiya Press Club and ending at Bahadur Shah Park. Similar protests are scheduled in the Dhaka north city area on May 28, and a road march from Dhaka to Dinajpur from June 4 to 7.

Huq, who also serves as the General Secretary of the Revolutionary Workers Party of Bangladesh, accused the ruling party and the government of planning another 'farcical' election. He alleged ongoing repression and oppression, including arrests of opposition members and the propagation of false cases and harassment.

The leftist politician also dismissed the possibility of an election-time government formed with allies of the ruling party, a notion recently hinted at by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. He claimed such an arrangement would be unacceptable to the public.

"The farcical general elections held in 2014 and 2018 have proved that there is no minimum scope of holding fair, neutral, and trustable election under the Awami League government," Huq asserted.

The Ganatantra Manch leader also expressed concern over the withdrawal of additional security for foreign diplomats,                  saying it could risk diplomatic ties and impact the country adversely.

Adding to this sentiment, Nagorik Oikya convener,

Mahmudur Rahman Manna, criticized the Prime Minister's comment on the formation of the election-time government with her political allies. He insisted the current government must step down before any interim government is formed.

Amid these developments, the BNP has scheduled countrywide rallies on May 19, 20, 26, and 27 to push their 10-point demand, which includes holding the next polls under a caretaker government.

The party also held foot march programme in Dhaka north city and south units on May 17.