Jhenaidah: Gono Odhikar Parishad's central General Secretary Rashed Khan today emphasized the importance of collaboration among all political parties with the government to ensure that the forthcoming national election is conducted in a fair and peaceful manner. "The upcoming polls are crucial for all political parties that participated in the July mass uprising. We have no alternative to staying united," Rashed stated. He made these remarks while addressing reporters after an election outreach programme at Dakbangla Bazar in Jhenaidah Sadar upazila around 5:30 pm today.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Rashed Khan urged all pro-uprising forces to unite, recalling the July movement when BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, Gono Odhikar Parishad, NCP, and other political groups spoke with one voice. "We fought together, setting aside our differences, to bring down the fascist Hasina regime. But unfortunately, today each party is saying different things. If this continues, doubts will grow about the next election," he warned. He further noted that if the election is delayed, the leaders and activists who participated in the uprising might find themselves in a difficult position.
Rashed highlighted the divisions among the parties that led the July uprising, stating that these were causing confusion among the public about the electoral process. "The interim government has repeatedly said the election will be held in February. Yet political parties and ordinary people seem unable to place their trust in the government," he added.
Addressing the possibility of an electoral alliance with the BNP, Rashed mentioned the historical context of joint political movements, including the struggle to restore democracy during the July uprising. "We have been in informal discussions with the BNP about forming an alliance for the upcoming election. We have also spoken with other anti-fascist political parties," he said. He underscored that BNP, Gono Odhikar Parishad, Jamaat-e-Islami, NCP, Islami Andolan Bangladesh, and others have continued mutual discussions on resisting the fascist Hasina and the fascist Awami League.
Earlier in the afternoon, Gono Odhikar Parishad conducted an outreach event at Dakbangla Bazar. District leaders, including President Lecturer Md Sakhawat Hossain, General Secretary Iqbal Zahid Rajon, Chhatra Odhikar Parishad President Rihan Hossain Rayhan, and General Secretary Abdullah Al Mamun, along with party activists, were present.