BNP has reached an understanding with Jamiat-e-Ulama-e-Islam Bangladesh on seat-sharing in four constituencies, leaders of the two parties announced on Tuesday.
The announcement was made at a joint press conference held at the BNP chairperson’s office in Gulshan around 12:30pm.
Jamiat-e-Ulama-e-Islam candidates will contest the election using their party symbol, Khejur Gachh (Date Palm Tree), while BNP will not nominate candidates in those constituencies.
The four candidates are Maulana Md Monzurul Islam Afendi in Nilphamari-1, Mufti Monir Hussain Qasmi in Narayanganj-4, Maulana Md Ubaidullah Farooq in Sylhet-5, and Maulana Zunaid Al-Habib in Brahmanbaria-2.
While addressing a press conference, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said the party’s decision was final and non-negotiable. Organisational action will be taken against anyone opposing the decision, he said.
Alleging that a vested group was attempting to obstruct the country’s democratic transition through conspiracies, Fakhrul said, “The law-and-order situation has deteriorated due to government failure.”
However, he expressed hope that the authorities would take more effective steps to ensure a conducive environment for the election.
BNP Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed said, “BNP and Jamiat-e-Ulama-e-Islam Bangladesh have reached a clear understanding on seat-sharing and will not nominate candidates against each other in the agreed constituencies.”
Jamiat-e-Ulama-e-Islam Ameer Ubaidullah Farooq said BNP remained the most credible political force for the country’s welfare. He also criticised the eight-party alliance for lacking experience in running the state and said BNP, having governed the country three times, will return to power in the future.
The announcement formalises BNP’s alliance strategy as political parties intensify preparations for the upcoming parliamentary election.
