BNP is working to form a platform for political parties to resist the next parliamentary elections under the Awami League-led coalition government.
The main opposition has already contacted the parties that want a continuation of the caretaker government system.
BNP is also seeking to have in the opposition camp the ruling alliance leaders who feel either deprived or cornered in their parties.
Its Chairperson Khaleda Zia has approached some of these leaders and also a few pro-AL intellectuals.
A number of BNP leaders hinted that after the Eid the high command will communicate with the AL-led grand alliance components, which are in favour of the caretaker system.
AL sources said Khaleda has lately sent her aides to some ruling party leaders, urging them to either join her party or support the opposition's anti-government agitation. Her representatives have also communicated with some leaders of Jatiya Party, a component of the ruling alliance.
Some of the leaders have even been offered important positions in BNP, added the sources.
“I was approached, on her [Khaleda's] behalf, to join her party, but I outright rejected the offer,” an AL leader said, seeking anonymity.
“As far as I know, similar proposals have been made to some other leaders who belong to Awami League or are involved in secular politics,” the leader said without specifying when they had been approached.
Some senior leaders including acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir are in touch with those outside BNP-led four-party alliance.
The four-party components--Jamaat-e-Islami, Bangladesh Jatiya Party (BJP) and Islami Oikya Jote--are already rallying round BNP.
Fakhrul have also talked to a number of intellectuals including some economists over the last couple of months to win their favour.
“You first talk to the leaders of all other parties,” a BNP standing committee member quoted Khaleda as saying at a recent meeting at her Gulshan office. “Then, if necessary, I myself will have discussion with them.”
On the chairperson's instructions, Fakhrul on Tuesday night met Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh President Prof AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury and also contacted Liberal Democratic Party President Oli Ahmad, who is now in Thailand.
Badruddoza expressed solidarity with BNP's hunger strike on Wednesday, while Oli has sent a delegation to the programme.
LDP presidium member Redwan Ahmed said they will be with BNP to force the government to reinstate the caretaker government system.
Both Badruddoza and Oli were founding members of BNP.
Also, 12 like-minded parties, mostly Islamist, have pledged support to the main opposition.
BNP insiders said its high-ups have also talked to Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal's ASM Abdur Rob and Krishak Sramik Janata League's Abdul Kader Siddiqui about a possible coalition.
Asked if BNP has contacted him, Siddiqui said there is no last word in politics. “We believe that a credible election is not possible without the caretaker government. So, discussions can be held on the issue.”
Talking to The Daily Star, Rob said, “We also want non-party caretaker system [to oversee the national polls]. Let's see where the situation leads us to.”
The Jatiya Sangsad on June 30 scrapped the caretaker government system, allowing general elections under elected government.
Meanwhile, a senior BNP leader said they are looking to organise an uprising similar to the Arab Spring to topple the government.
To intensify the anti-government movement, they will hold a mass rally in the capital towards the year-end.
The main opposition has already contacted the parties that want a continuation of the caretaker government system.
BNP is also seeking to have in the opposition camp the ruling alliance leaders who feel either deprived or cornered in their parties.
Its Chairperson Khaleda Zia has approached some of these leaders and also a few pro-AL intellectuals.
A number of BNP leaders hinted that after the Eid the high command will communicate with the AL-led grand alliance components, which are in favour of the caretaker system.
AL sources said Khaleda has lately sent her aides to some ruling party leaders, urging them to either join her party or support the opposition's anti-government agitation. Her representatives have also communicated with some leaders of Jatiya Party, a component of the ruling alliance.
Some of the leaders have even been offered important positions in BNP, added the sources.
“I was approached, on her [Khaleda's] behalf, to join her party, but I outright rejected the offer,” an AL leader said, seeking anonymity.
“As far as I know, similar proposals have been made to some other leaders who belong to Awami League or are involved in secular politics,” the leader said without specifying when they had been approached.
Some senior leaders including acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir are in touch with those outside BNP-led four-party alliance.
The four-party components--Jamaat-e-Islami, Bangladesh Jatiya Party (BJP) and Islami Oikya Jote--are already rallying round BNP.
Fakhrul have also talked to a number of intellectuals including some economists over the last couple of months to win their favour.
“You first talk to the leaders of all other parties,” a BNP standing committee member quoted Khaleda as saying at a recent meeting at her Gulshan office. “Then, if necessary, I myself will have discussion with them.”
On the chairperson's instructions, Fakhrul on Tuesday night met Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh President Prof AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury and also contacted Liberal Democratic Party President Oli Ahmad, who is now in Thailand.
Badruddoza expressed solidarity with BNP's hunger strike on Wednesday, while Oli has sent a delegation to the programme.
LDP presidium member Redwan Ahmed said they will be with BNP to force the government to reinstate the caretaker government system.
Both Badruddoza and Oli were founding members of BNP.
Also, 12 like-minded parties, mostly Islamist, have pledged support to the main opposition.
BNP insiders said its high-ups have also talked to Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal's ASM Abdur Rob and Krishak Sramik Janata League's Abdul Kader Siddiqui about a possible coalition.
Asked if BNP has contacted him, Siddiqui said there is no last word in politics. “We believe that a credible election is not possible without the caretaker government. So, discussions can be held on the issue.”
Talking to The Daily Star, Rob said, “We also want non-party caretaker system [to oversee the national polls]. Let's see where the situation leads us to.”
The Jatiya Sangsad on June 30 scrapped the caretaker government system, allowing general elections under elected government.
Meanwhile, a senior BNP leader said they are looking to organise an uprising similar to the Arab Spring to topple the government.
To intensify the anti-government movement, they will hold a mass rally in the capital towards the year-end.
