New alliances key to ending fascism: AB Party chief

Mujibur Rahman Manju, chairman of Amar Bangladesh Party (AB Party), has stressed that the eradication of fascism in Bangladesh is only possible through the emergence of a new multidimensional political force or alliance, breaking the long-standing cycle of two-party dominance. 

Speaking at the 53rd founding anniversary of the Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) at the National Press Club on Friday, Manju warned that the country risks a repeat of historical betrayals if political pragmatism is ignored.

Manju noted that Bangladeshi politics was long defined by BNP-Awami League bipartisanship, which collapsed with the weakening of the Awami League, and cautioned against attempts to establish a BNP-Jamaat bipartisanship. 

"It is an unfortunate anecdote of history that just as Nawab Siraj-ud-Daula was born on this soil, so was Mir Jafar. After overthrowing a dictator like Yahya, the character of Yahya was resurrected in the popular leader Sheikh Mujib," he remarked.

He criticised the Awami League for making power-hungry promises without concern for keeping them, arguing that such tactics establish fascism. In contrast, he said BNP's slow and hesitant approach has prevented it from coming to power for the past 15 years. 

"BNP should be pragmatic after self-introspection. If they avoid unnecessary debates, accept reasonable reforms, unite all parties, and commit to building a state, their path to power will be easier and the country will find a new direction," he added.

The event was chaired by JSD Senior Vice President Tania Rob while BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and other political leaders attended the programme.