Lt Gen (retd) Mahbubur Rahman speaks to DOT :
Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) should sever ties with Jamaat-e-Islami. BNP is a big political party, which enjoys huge popularity. BNP has ruled the country for many years. Jmaat-e-Islami is party convicted for war crimes. Many leaders of the party were executed, many others are serving different terms of imprisonment and some others are now absconding.
Being a standing committee member of BNP, I do not make policy. Personally speaking, BNP should sever ties with Jamaat. People are not taking the alliance positively. Even the supporters of BNP cannot accept it. BNP is not benefiting from the alliance with Jamaat. BNP politics is now at stake due to the alliance.
It is not visible yet whether there is any spilt in Jatiya Oikya Front. However, some disagreements cropped up in the alliance. This is not unusual. I think BNP should take part in the national dialogue on February 6 without Jamaat.
The writer is a member of BNP standing committee
Interviewed by Leon Mir, translated by Hossen Sohel
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