Reformist Jamaat leaders form new party

With the principle 'Equality, humanitarian dignity and social justice, the reformist leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami have formed a new political party called Amar Bangladesh Party (AB Party). The leaders formally announced the party at a media briefing at the central office in the city on Saturday.

Ousted Jamaat leader Mojibur Rahman Monju, the coordinator of the political outfit Jana Akankhyar Bangladesh formed a year ago, unveiled the new party, with a 222-member convening committee. AFM Solaiman Chowdhury, a former secretary, who resigned from Jamaat, will serve as the convener of the AB Party. Monju, former president of Islami Chhatra Shibir, Jamaat's student affiliate, has been made the member secretary of the committee.

"We have ignored the critics and from today our party is going to be called Amar Bangladesh Party," said Monju. 

Retired Major Abdul Wahab Minar outlined the aims and objectives of the new party at the briefing. The party will strive to make Bangladesh a 'welfare state' by ensuring the basic and civic rights of every human being, irrespective of religion, caste and creed, according to him.

Monju said the convening committee will be tasked with forming district units while finalizing the party's draft constitution and electing its leadership in line with democratic principles.

"We have launched a program to provide food assistance to 20,000 endangered families with our limited resources. For now, the plan is to overcome this coronavirus situation by focusing on issues related to humanitarian services and formulate policies accordingly."

The party will launch its activities after the coronavirus crisis ends, according to Monju.