Bangladeshi 4-party alliance to join general election despite boycott by grand alliance

Bangladeshi former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia reaffirmed that her Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP)-led four-party alliance will join the Jan. 22 general election despite boycott by the grand alliance to keep the continuation of the country's constitution.

Zia told a press conference on Friday afternoon that people are with the four-party alliance, so they will participate in the polls to keep the democratic process going. She called for cooperation of the people in holding the election peacefully.

The grand alliance led by former main opposition Awami League, which is headed by former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, announced to boycott the election on Wednesday on grounds that an environment conducive for a clean and credible election was not created by the caretaker government.

On the credibility of the one party election at home and abroad, Zia said several other parties will participate in the election.

She said the alliance or parties must bear the responsibility if the new government elected through Jan. 22 election does not get the credibility of the donors community.

BNP government ended its five-year tenure on Oct. 27 last year and handed over power to caretaker government headed by President Iajuddin Ahmed.

According to Bangladeshi constitution since 1996, a neutral caretaker government supervises the general elections within 90 days after taking office.

Source: Xinhua