September 9, 1971

Shamsuddoza Sajen

5-PARTY CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE FORMED

A broad democratic front comprising the five main political parties of Bangladesh was formed today to conduct the liberation struggle. A consultative committee of eight members was set up to advise the Bangladesh government and to issue guidelines to the Mukti Bahini.

The formation of the Front was announced at the end of a two-day meeting of the leaders of the parties which was presided over by Prime Minister Tajuddin Ahmed.

The parties comprising the Front were the Awami League, National Awami Party (Bhashani group), National Awami Party (Muzaffar group), the Communist Party of Bangladesh and the Bangladesh National Congress.

A spokesman for the Bangladesh government said the formation of the committee would ensure a sense of participation in the liberation struggle among all sections of the people actively fighting the “colonial and imperialist exploiters of Bangladesh”.

He added: “The formation of the committee reflects the unity among the rank and file of the freedom-loving people of Bangladesh having faith in the leadership of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the Awami League and the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh.