Oli’s nomination draws mixed reactions

The nomination of Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Chairman and Liberation War veteran Col (retd) Oli Ahmed Bir Bikram as the presidential candidate of the 11-party alliance has drawn mixed reactions from political parties, with the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) and the Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal (Basad) criticising the decision while Jamaat-e-Islami defended it. But ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has taken it positively. 

The Jamaat-led 11-party alliance unanimously nominated Oli Ahmed as its candidate at a meeting held at the residence of the Leader of the Opposition on Minto Road in the capital on Sunday. The meeting was chaired by Jamaat Ameer and Leader of the Opposition in JS Dr Shafiqur Rahman.

BNP Standing Committee member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy told The Daily Observer that the 11-party alliance has the right to field a candidate for the presidency under the existing rules.
He said the alliance had not boycotted the election and that fielding a candidate could be seen as a form of cooperation with the government in running the state and making the presidential election more lively.

Power and Energy Minister and BNP Standing Committee member Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku described the development as a healthy trend for democracy.

Forest and Environment Minister and BNP Vice Chairman Abdul Awal Mintu said the president is elected by the votes of members of Parliament under the country's existing law. Therefore, any political party can nominate a candidate for the election.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi also welcomed the decision. He said the participation of multiple candidates would make the presidential election more interesting.

BNP Chairman's Adviser Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal said Jamaat's political position has changed at different times depending on political circumstances and equations.

He noted that Jamaat had resigned from Parliament and joined protests with the Awami League and Jatiya Party. Later, it formed a government with the BNP in 2001 and took ministerial positions.

Reacting to the decision, former CPB General Secretary Ruhin Hossain Prince questioned Oli Ahmed's association with political forces whose positions, he said, were at odds with the history of the 1971 Liberation War.

"Jamaat was involved in the atrocities of 1971. It does not suit them to use a freedom fighter for political purposes. It is surprising that someone recognised as a freedom fighter would work with those accused of opposing the Liberation War," he said.

Basad Assistant General Secretary Rajekuzzaman Ratan also criticised the nomination, although he acknowledged that it was a decision of the 11-party alliance.

However, Jamaat's Central Executive Council member and Secretary of its Publicity and Media Department Advocate Matiur Rahman Akand rejected the criticism, saying Oli Ahmed was not Jamaat's candidate.
"This is not Jamaat's candidate. He is the candidate of the 11-party alliance. So where is the problem?" he said.

Meanwhile, Jamaat Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman said the alliance was contesting the presidential election to strengthen the democratic process.

"We want Bangladesh to return to a healthy democratic political path. To this end, we have unanimously finalised veteran politician and LDP Chairman Col (retd) Oli Ahmed Bir Bikram as our candidate for the presidential election," he said.

Oli Ahmed, after being nominated, expressed gratitude to the leaders of the 11-party alliance. He said the alliance had considered his record as a freedom fighter, political experience and personal integrity while selecting him as its candidate.