PM meets leaders of anti-fascist movement allies

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Monday evening hosted a courtesy meeting and dinner for leaders of the political parties that had joined the simultaneous anti-fascist movement alongside the BNP, marking his first formal engagement with the alliance partners since assuming office.

The programme began at 7:40pm on the premises of the State Guest House Jamuna with the recitation from the Holy Quran by Islami Oikya Jote leader Shawkat Amin, reports UNB.

The Prime Minister arrived at the venue at 7:27pm, according to his Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon.

After the arrival, Tarique Rahman went from table to table, exchanging greetings and pleasantries with the leaders of the allied parties before joining them for dinner.

Welcoming the guests, BNP Secretary General, and Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said the gathering was a reunion of the political forces that had fought together during the anti-government movement.

"We struggled together, and our party Chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has invited the leaders of those parties. It is a reunion," he said, adding that the programme was arranged to exchange greetings with the alliance partners.

Leaders of several allied parties, including Jatiya Party (Kazi Zafar) Chairman Mostafa Jamal Haider, Nagorik Oikya President Mahmudur Rahman Manna, Biplobi Workers Party General Secretary Saiful Haque and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam leader Mufti Mohiuddin Ikram, also addressed the gathering.

Members of the BNP Standing Committee, including Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Salahuddin Ahmed, Selima Rahman and Iqbal Hassan Mahmood Tuku, Vice-Chairmen Barkat Ullah Bulu, Mohammad Shahjahan and Abdul Awal Mintoo, among others, attended the programme. Members of the liaison committee formed during the anti-government movement were also present.

The Prime Minister later joined the buffet dinner with the alliance leaders, taking food alongside them and sharing a table with Manna, Zonayed Saki of Ganosamhati Andolon, Saiful Haque, Mostafa Jamal Haider, Andaleeve Rahman Partho of the BJP, Mirza Fakhrul, Amir Khosru, Fariduzzaman Farhad, Subrata Chowdhury of Gono Forum and Sheikh Rafiqul Islam Babulu of Bhasani Janashakti Party.

Leaders of 41 political parties, including Ganatantra Mancha, the 12-Party Alliance, Jatiyatabadi Samomona Jote, Gonotantrik Bam Oikya, Islami Oikya Jote, also attended the event.

According to sources, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami was not invited as it was not part of the simultaneous anti-government movement.