Ishraque Hossain softens tone, calls for unity among Bangladesh political parties

State minister for liberation war affairs Ishraque Hossain adopted a more conciliatory tone Saturday, calling for cooperation among Bangladesh’s democratic political parties after previously taking a confrontational stance toward an opposition leader.

Hossain recently led a torchlight procession protesting remarks by National Citizen Party leader Nasiruddin Patwary, who had sharply criticized Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and his government. Hossain warned at the time that stronger political programs could follow.

In his Saturday remarks, however, Hossain emphasized unity and cooperation among parties committed to the country’s democratic future.

“All democratic political parties that believe in Bangladesh’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity must run the country together,” he said. “This is the only way we can sustain our country in the future.”

The statement marked a shift from his earlier rhetoric as tensions between the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and National Citizen Party continued to draw public attention.