A new political coalition, the National Democratic Front (NDF), was formally launched on Monday under the joint leadership of one faction of Jatiya Party (JAPA) led by Barrister Anisul Islam Mahmud and Jatiya Party (JP) led by Anwar Hossain Manju, marking a notable repositioning within the opposition ahead of the February national polls.
The announcement was made at a press conference at the Emmanuels Party Center in Gulshan, Dhaka.
Under the new structure, Anwar Hossain Manju has been made chief adviser of the alliance, while Barrister Anisul Islam Mahmud will serve as coalition chairman.
JAPA Secretary General ABM Ruhul Amin Howlader will act as spokesperson, and Golam Sarwar Milon, acting chairman of Janata Party Bangladesh, has been named the alliance's secretary general.
The twenty-member coalition brings together a broad spectrum of some small parties, including Janata Party Bangladesh, Bangladesh Jatiya Party, Trinamool BNP, Bangladesh Cultural Liberation Alliance, Bangladesh Nationalist Movement, Bangladesh Muslim League, National Islamic Grand Alliance, National Reform Alliance, Bangladesh Labor Party, Swadhin Party, National Freedom Party, Bangladesh Human Rights Party, Bangladesh Sarvajanin Dal, Bangladesh Jankalyan Party, Applied Democratic Party, Bangladesh Democratic Movement, Democratic Party, and Bangladesh National League.
In a written statement, Anisul Islam Mahmud said the Front aims to "promote true democratic transformation, build national consensus to overcome the political crisis, combine the spirit of the 1971 Liberation War and the July 24th uprising, accelerate state reform, uphold Bangladeshi nationalism, moderate liberal democracy, respect Islamic values, ensure harmony among religions, establish an independent judiciary, permanently end fascism, and amplify the voice of citizens seeking good governance."
The Front outlined seven core demands, including ensuring a level playing field for impartial and participatory elections, the formation of a neutral interim government, withdrawal of harassment cases, and inclusive voting. It also called for implementation of the recent mass uprising's aspirations through national consensus, a governance system rooted in rule of law and democratic principles, urgent restoration of public security, action against terrorists and armed groups regardless of party affiliation, curbing inflation, prioritising a self-reliant economy with investment and employment, and establishing a corruption-free, non-discriminatory social order.
The coalition stressed that all member parties will actively participate in the upcoming elections while maintaining their individual identities and principles.
