20-party to hold national convention

The BNP-led 20-party alliance will hold an anti-militancy national convention in the capital soon. However, the date is yet to be set.

The decision was made at a meeting of the chiefs of the alliance at BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia's Gulshan office last night, sources said. 

In the convention, the alliance wants to invite leaders of all political parties, including those from the ruling Awami League.

After the meeting, Khaleda sat with her party policymakers to discuss the plan further.

It comes in the wake of the deadliest terrorist attack in the country on a Gulshan cafe on July 1 when the attackers killed 20 hostages and two police officers. Barely a week later, suspected militants killed two policemen near Sholakia Eid congregation in Kishoreganj.

Attacks by suspected militants have seen a spectacular rise in the past three years, with terror group Islamic State claiming responsibilities for many of them although the government blames homegrown militants.  

 Briefing reporters after the meeting, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said details of the initiative will be announced after Khaleda's meeting with intellectuals, professionals and senior journalists at her Gulshan office this evening.

A day after the Holey Artisan siege, Khaleda at a press conference called upon all to unite against terrorism without further delay.

Last night's meeting of the opposition alliance was part of her initiative in this regard, according to alliance sources. 

Abdul Halim, member of Jamaat's central working council, represented his party in the meeting.

Meeting sources said Halim was silent most of the time.

At one point, Khaleda asked him: "Why aren't you clarifying before the nation that you [Jamaat] had waged a movement with the Awami League against the BNP government of 1991-96."

But Halim did not reply to the question, according to a source who asked not to be named.

Several components of the alliance have objections about Jamaat's inclusion in the anti-militancy campaign, but no one raised the issue at the meeting, said an alliance leader.

Inside the BNP itself, there are opposing views. Some think the move may fall flat if Jamaat is invited in the convention.

During the 1971 Liberation War, Jamaat opposed the birth of Bangladesh. There are allegations that the party sponsors various militant outfits, something it denies.

"Madam's [Khaleda's] call for a national unity to tackle militancy is a timely initiative praised by different quarters. But I am not sure how far she can go with this great plan if Jamaat is involved," a BNP standing committee member told The Daily Star.

After the meeting, the chief of one component told Halim that the unity Khaleda was trying to forge might not be successful because people like Dr Kamal Hossain and ASM Abdur Rob might boycott the convention if Jamaat was invited.

In reply, Halim said these people did not matter in the election.

To this, Khaleda said these people have good reputation, according to meeting sources.