Monira Begum leaves Kazi Zafar\\\'s JP, joins NPP

Monira Begum, presidium member of the Jatiya Party (Kazi Zafar), has joined the National People’s Party (NPP), led by Sheikh Shawkat Hossain Nilu. Nilu was expelled from the BNP-led 20-party alliance in July for attending Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s Iftar party at Ganabhaban during the Holy Ramadan. However, one faction of the NPP has stayed on with the 20-party coalition as Nilu walked out with another. The Nilu-led NPP is reportedly not willing to return to the 20-party bloc and it is also staying off the BNP-led 20-party’s rally at Suhrawardy Udyan this (Tuesday) afternoon. Nilu spoke about his experience of being in the BNP-led coalition at the end of a programme marking Monira Begum’s induction into his faction. He alleged that the small outfits in the 20-party combine were never consulted before deciding on important matters, though they were a part of the alliance. Before his expulsion, Nulu was never consulted about any important matter by the big parties in the coalition, he said. ‘The BNP and the Jamaat-e-Islami used to impose their decisions. They attached no importance to other coalition partners, leave alone consult them,’ he added, according to a news agency.