Labour Party cuts two decades’ ties with BNP

The decision was taken at a National Executive Committee meeting chaired by Labour Party Chairman Dr Mostafizur Rahman Iran at the party’s Nayapaltan office.

Talking to reporters after the meeting, Dr Iran said the Labour Party has been a loyal and active partner of the BNP in various alliances, including the 18-party and 20-party coalitions since 2006.

He said the Labour Party stood by the BNP in street movements, democratic struggles, and anti-fascist campaigns over the last two decades.

“Unfortunately, the BNP has ignored long-standing political brotherhood, our joint struggles, and alliance commitments. They have broken promises to partner parties, sidelined like-minded groups, and are dreaming of coming to power alone. This is truly deceitful, disrespectful, and dishonest behaviour,” Dr Iran said.

He said the Labour Party’s Executive Committee believes that through disrespect towards allies, short-sighted decisions, unethical nomination processes, and dishonest behaviour, the BNP has turned itself into a friendless, untrustworthy, and leaderless party.

“Such actions have exposed BNP’s political bankruptcy. In the future, no political force will be able to trust them—BNP alone is responsible for this,” the Labour Party chief said.

During Khaleda Zia’s most critical times, when unity and support were most needed, he said, BNP’s treatment of its allies has been disappointing, disrespectful and ungrateful.

“The National Executive Committee of the Bangladesh Labour Party has unanimously decided in today’s meeting that, from now on, the party will completely sever all political relations, alliance cooperation, and future joint programmes with the BNP,” Dr Iran said.

He said the party pledged to continue its struggle for people’s rights, social justice, and a democratic society independently.

Labour Party sources said the BNP earlier promised to share the Jhalakathi-1 seat with the Labour Party and nominate Dr Mostafizur Rahman Iran as the alliance candidate from the constituency.

But, on Thursday, the BNP nominated its own leader Rafiqul Islam Jamal for the seat, deeply frustrating the Labour Party, reports UNB.