Bibhu Ranjan Sarker writes for DOT :
It seems that Gono Forum has fallen into political crisis on the issue of taking oath of 11th parliament of its two members who were nominated by Jatiya Oikya Front with BNP as it major alliance.
Dr. Kamal Hossain, leader of Gono Forum had left Awami League three decades ago for various reasons. It was expected that Gono Forum, the political party would be major challenger of Awami League. Unfortunately Kamal Hossain could not take the party to compete the giant, Awami League. It seems the party has stood stand still at a crossroad.
A polarisation in politics has occurred before the 11th parliamentary elections. Kamal Hossain along with other small and medium political parties created an alliance named Jatiya Oikya Front, which was deemed a stong political alliance against Awami League.
Though, Oikya Front came into political arena with loud noise during the electioneering of the 30th December, but unfortunately failed to make any dent in the parliament.
Six candidates of BNP and two from Gono Forum candidates were elected to parliament. However, hours after the election results were officially announced, Oikya Front declined the results declared by Bangladesh Election Commission, terming it as “farcical” election and quickly demanded a fresh election to ensure democracy.
Despite, Kamal Hossain is soft towards Oikya Front elected members joining the parliament, but BNP took a hard stand and announced to boycott the oath ceremony and instead demanded a fresh election.
On the other side, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina urged Oiyka Front elected lawmakers to join the parliament. Despite the appeal by PM, Oikya Front members did not change its decision.
The alliance several times has shown hiccups since its formation. The hiccups were caused from misunderstanding, inner rivalry, doubts and pessimism.
After the elected Sultan Muhammed Mansur Ahmed and Mukabbir Khan of Gono Forum spoke to the media and expressed their willingness to join the parliament, BNP quickly reacted and criticized their decision.
On return of Gono Forum leader from abroad after his treatment, Kamal Hossain said the alliance is still united. Later, the MP elect Mukabbir Khan told media after a meeting with Kamal Hossain, he claimed that he (Kamal) was positive about them joining the parliament.
Meanwhile, after Sultan Mansur claimed that he is a disciple of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, which made a lot of political noise in the political circle. It is important to note here that Dr Kamal Hossain is also comrade of Banglabandhu.
In an effort to strengthen the opposition unity against the government, the pillar of unity among the alliance has begun to shake.
People on the sideline are eagerly waiting to see the political result of the haphazardly organized opposition alliance with a broken masthead.
The writer is Group Joint Editor (Amader Notun Shomoy, The Daily our Time, Amader Orthoneeti)