BNP alliance expansion irks partners

Still struggling to reorganise her party in the wake of its January 5 election boycott, BNP chairperson Khaleda has caused widespread displeasure among her alliance partners, especially the Islamist ones, by including a faction of Samyabadi Dal into their platform though it has made the alliance a 20-party one. Some top alliance leaders said though they vehemently opposed the inclusion of a secular, leftist and a name-only faction of Samyabadi Dal, BNP unilaterally took into the alliance just to increase the alliance numbers. They also said BNP as the major party of the collation should give due importance to those whom it made alliance partners and consider their suggestions for making their platform stronger and more meaningful, according to a news agency.