Dhaka: There must be certain compromise between the key actors of the country’s political divide, says Syed Muhammad Ibrahim, a retired Major General and president of Kallyan Party.

Otherwise, the valiant freedom fighter cautions, the nation would fall into a crisis situation and the future politics would be gloomy.

“There are two streams of politics in the country. Unless the two contenders for power come to certain compromise, the country’s politics would be dominated by conflicts and tensions over a period of time,” Ibrahim said in an interview with Prime News.

The chief of Kallyan Party, which is a partner of BNP-led 18-party alliance, expressed his views that the country’s current political deadlock over holding of the next general elections could not be resolved by anything less than restoration of the caretaker government system.

Here is the text of interview with him:

Prime News: What is the current state of politics, in your view?

Gen Ibrahim: We notice two forces active in politics. One camp believes in the freedom of expression and is engaged in working towards that end. The other side wants to curtail the people’s right to express by using all coercive means. I think, the 18-party alliance is the protagonist of the former while the ruling grand alliance following the path of the latter. However, if the two rival camps do not come to a consensus or at least certain amount of compromise the country’s political future will remain bleak and there may be a devastating consequence for the nation.

Prime News: After the 1/11 (military-led takeover for two years beginning January 11, 2007), some of you gave statements against BNP and Awami League and even wanted to create a new third force in politics. Why have you joined the 18-party alliance now?

Gen Ibrahim: We have to do many things with changing circumstances. We are doing politics, which we feel we need to do for the sake of the welfare of the nation and the state.

Prime News: How far have you been able to attain or advance towards attaining the objectives for which you along with others joined politics?

Gen Ibrahim: As I mentioned, there are two streams of politics. One camp which is led by AL believes in secularism and Bengali nationalism. The other camp imbued with religious values upholds Bangladeshi nationalism. It is ‘time-consuming, expensive and very difficult’ for any smaller party to become successful coming out of the dominance of the power contenders. So, we have embraced an alternative path and decided to join an alliance which is doing the politics of a combination of Bangladeshi nationalism, religious values and spirit of the war of liberation. We have expressed our allegiance to the leadership of Khaleda Zia (BNP Chairperson and former prime minister) and employ our efforts including time, labour and merit.

Prime News: BNP-elected president Abdur Rahman Biswas once terminated you from your service in the army. Why have you still joined the BNP-led alliance?

Gen Ibrahim: I thought the decision taken by President Abdur Rahman Biswas was wrong. And he is none in the BNP at the moment.

Prime News: What should be the form of government, as you think, under which the next parliamentary polls will be held?

Gen Ibrahim: Clearly and loudly, I demand elections under a non-party caretaker government. Because I have no confidence in the transparency of a party government. And the level of trust in the ruling grand alliance for holding elections is zero.

Prime News: Kallyan Party once got split. WHY?

Gen Ibrahim: No incident of splitting occurred in our case. We reached an honourable exit strategy talking with the then secretary general Abul Kalam Azad.

Prime News: What is the current party strength of you? Is it only Dhaka-centric?

Gen Ibrahim: We have 17 district committees and 80 committees at upazila level. Yes, because of financial constraints, we cannot go for much publicity. Also, the new, small party cannot make news, so the media, too, slightly ignore them, quite naturally so. However, we are taking part in the activities of the 18-party alliance. Of the recently constituted 27 teams of the alliance, we had representation in 14.

Prime News: Some people say if the BNP excludes Jamaat from the alliance, its vote would increase. What is your evaluation?

Gen Ibrahim: Kallyan Party is a new partner in the alliance while Jamaat is a senior partner. So, it is not decent to comment on the senior one.

Prime News: What are your views on opposition leader Khaleda Zia’s recent tour of India?

Gen Ibrahim: Through this visit, New Delhi recognised that Awami League alone does not mean Bangladesh. Rather BNP is an essential part of it, at least by a half. So, India came to realise that relations should be built with the people of Bangladesh, not with a particular party.

Prime News: The framer of the constitution, Dr Kamal Hossain, and former president Dr AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury initiated to form a common political platform. How you do look at their initiative?

Gen Ibrahim: It is nothing to try something.

Ends/MH/KM/09/11/2012