BNP expresses solidarity with Aam Janatar Dal's Tarek's hunger strike over party registration

BNP has expressed solidarity with Tarek Rahman, who has been observing a hunger strike in front of the Election Commission, demanding registration for his political party.

"The political party he formed definitely deserves registration. And for this just cause, he has been on hunger strike... I, on behalf of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), express full solidarity with his hunger strike programme," said BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi this afternoon (6 November).

Rizvi said Tarek's political platform, Aam Janatar Dal, had applied to the Election Commission for registration, but the application was rejected.

"I've seen that less significant organisations have already been registered, but Tarek's party was denied. I don't understand why. Tarek has always spoken for the country's interest, against aggression and for Bangladesh's sovereignty," he added.

Tarek rose to prominence in national politics as part of the Nurul Huq Nur-led Quota Reform Movement in 2018. He later joined the party Nur launched, Gono Odhikar Parishad. When the GOP split, Tarek ended up in the faction led by Dr Reza Kibria, reports UNB.

The two splinters eventually merged back, but Tarek at that point chose to launch his own new platform.

Several political parties, including Aam Janatar Dal, Bangladesh Justice and Development Party, and Moulik Bangla—continued their demonstration in front of Nirbachan Bhaban today as well demanding registration.

On 4 November, Aam Janatar Dal member secretary Tarek Rahman began a 'hunger strike unto death' shortly after the announcement of the EC's decision to award registration to three other parties—National Citizen Party (NCP), Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal (Marxist), and Bangladesh Aam Janagan Party.

On 5 November, Bangladesh Justice and Development Party and Moulik Bangla joined the demonstration with separate sit-in programmes at the EC gate.

The Election Commission on 4 November issued separate notifications over awarding registration to the three political parties --- NCP with the electoral symbol of 'Water Lily Bud', Bangladesh Aam Janagan Party with 'Handshake' symbol and Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal (Marxist) with 'Sewing Scissor' symbol.

The commission will finally recognise them as registered parties after settling any objections against them, that are received by 12 November.

On 10 March, the Commission invited applications from the new political parties by 20 April next to get registered ahead of the 13th parliamentary election.

The EC received applications from 143 parties seeking registration within the extended deadline of June 22 last. After scrutiny, 22 parties were shortlisted for field-level inquiries to verify the authenticity of their claims of fulfilment of registration conditions.

A total of 57 parties have so far obtained registration since the registration system was introduced before the 2008 general election.

Later, five of them lost their status but two parties regained the registration. Besides, the registration of Awami League remains suspended.