Leaders of the Democratic United Front, an alliance of left-leaning political parties, held a meeting with BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Monday at the party chairperson’s office in Gulshan.The meeting discussed the country’s current political situation, law and order, the economic condition, the upcoming national parliamentary election, and the rise of extremism. Among those present were CPB Presidium Member Mujahidul Islam Selim, President Kazi Sajjad Zahir Chandan, General Secretary Abdullah Al Kafi Ratan; BASD General Secretary Bazlur Rashid Firoz, Assistant General Secretary Rajekuzzaman Ratan; Bangladesh JASAD General Secretary Nazmul Haque Prodhan and Standing Committee Member Mostak Hossain; Socialist Party of Bangladesh Executive President Abdul Ali; Democratic Revolutionary Party General Secretary Mosharrafa Mishu; Bangladesh Revolutionary Communist League General Secretary Iqbal Kabir Zahid; Editorial Board Member Professor Abdus Sattar; and BASD (Marxist) Coordinator Masud Rana.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir was also present at the meeting.
Ahead of the 12th parliamentary election, nine left-leaning progressive political parties, including Bangladesh JASAD, formed the Democratic United Front on 29 November.
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, BASD General Secretary Bazlur Rashid Firoz said the primary purpose of the visit was to express condolences to Tarique Rahman and his family following the death of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. “He had been abroad for a long time. After returning home and losing his mother, we came to express our sympathy and solidarity with the bereaved family and the party,” he said. In addition, discussions were held on Bangladesh’s political situation, law and order, the upcoming election, and the rise of fundamentalist and communal forces.
Bazlur Rashid said that during the meeting, Tarique Rahman described the Liberation War of 1971 as the foundation of Bangladesh. “He said that without the Liberation War, Bangladesh’s existence cannot be imagined,” Firoz noted.
Quoting Tarique Rahman, Bazlur Rashid said, “We must move forward keeping in mind the aspirations of the mass uprisings of 1990 and 2024. We have to move forward together with believers, non-believers, and skeptics alike. We are planning a liberal, democratic, welfare-oriented state. We want to work accordingly, learn from the past, and place the people at the center of our politics. We want to ensure that people benefit not only through plans but also through implementation.”
He further quoted Tarique Rahman as saying that there would be opposition and differing views. “There are and will be many differences of opinion between us, but on various national issues and in the interest of the people, there will certainly be exchanges of views. At times, if you offer advice, we will accept what is reasonable. He expressed the hope that a cordial political environment would be established,” Bazlur Rashid said.
Bazlur Rashid added that leaders of the Democratic United Front emphasized that political tolerance, respect for differing opinions, and ideological tolerance are prerequisites for democracy. They stressed the need to build a political culture centered on free and fair elections and democratic processes.
He said the left alliance also underscored that anti–Liberation War and anti-independence forces must not be allowed to gain influence in Bangladesh’s politics. Referring to Jamaat-e-Islami’s recent statements about a national government, Bazlur Rashid said that Tarique Rahman clarified the matter had not been discussed with them. “He said no such discussion took place with us and that such statements were being made outside. The only point of unity discussed was on the issue of national independence and sovereignty,” he added.
Bazlur Rashid said the alliance maintained that despite differences of opinion, unity is essential on issues concerning the people’s interests, independence, and sovereignty. “There will be criticism and differences of views,” he said.
He further noted that leaders of the Democratic United Front remarked that although the discussion was taking place in a moment of mourning, they might be among the strongest critics if they were to join the government in the future. In response, Tarique Rahman reportedly said, “Criticism is essential—without criticism, how can there be democracy? There will be criticism, and there will also be dialogue.”
According to Bazlur Rashid, the meeting emphasized the continuation of dialogue, future engagements, and ongoing exchanges of views with all political forces.
Earlier, leaders of the left democratic alliance paid tribute to the late Begum Khaleda Zia by signing the condolence book.