Nahid Islam, the parliamentary opposition chief whip and convener of the National Citizens Party, said Bangladesh has developed a political and constitutional crisis. He made the remarks on Sunday afternoon after an 11-party meeting at the opposition leader’s residence on Minto Road. The meeting discussed the presidential election and the country’s recent political situation.

Questioning the BNP’s past political role, Nahid said the party had at different times tried to retain power during changes of government. He said this had created the political and constitutional crisis. He also announced that the 11 parties would contest the presidential election in unity with one common candidate.

The alliance named Liberal Democratic Party chairman retired Colonel Oli Ahmed as its joint candidate. Nahid said the 11 parties had demanded from the first day of the first session that former president Md Shahabuddin be removed and a new president appointed under the July Charter. He questioned why Shahabuddin had remained in office for another six months and alleged an effort to provide him a “free exit” without bringing him under trial.