Denied nominations by BNP, more than half a dozen of the party’s longtime allies or like-minded political groups have begun exploring seat-sharing arrangements with Jamaat-e-Islami and other ideological partners.
From this week, top leaders of these parties are preparing to take to the field with strong allegations of “betrayal and deception” against BNP.
A top leader of one BNP-allied party said, “Three parties including Bangladesh Jatiya Dal from the 12-party alliance, along with National People’s Party (NPP) from the Nationalist Like-Minded Alliance, and several leaders of the Bangladesh Labour Party have begun communicating with Jamaat. The number is likely to increase.”
Meanwhile, Rastro Songskar Andolon—part of the Ganatantra Manch—is currently in talks to form an alliance with National Citizen Party (NCP). Another party from the bloc is also included in this discussion.
Although these parties have limited influence in the electoral field, they may still wield some impact in the 13th national election through rallies, gatherings and campaign activity.
The reaction erupted after BNP announced its second list of candidates for 36 constituencies on Thursday—fielding its own nominees in seats expected to go to allies.
Top leaders of the smaller parties, who have long stood with BNP in anti-fascist movements, are now searching for alternatives.
Several disgruntled allies have already held meetings to determine their course of action. They accuse BNP of deceiving its partners who stood beside them in difficult times.
In this regard, the 12-party alliance—an ally of BNP—has called a press conference for Monday. Multiple alliance sources say the briefing is intended to express their tough stance against BNP.
The decision was made at a meeting of top alliance leaders last Friday, where many expressed supports for severing ties with BNP.
They believe more of them may be excluded from nominations soon. Their view is that if opportunities exist to form alliances elsewhere, those should be utilised.
For that reason, many top leaders are now increasing communication with Jamaat and like-minded parties, seeking seat-sharing at least in a few constituencies of their own.
Ehsanul Huda, coordinator of the 12-party alliance and chairman of the Bangladesh National Party, told TIMES of Bangladesh, “While Khaleda Zia remains gravely ill, a clique within BNP hastily nominated candidates for the constituencies of top alliance leaders last Thursday. This group is conspiring against BNP and Tarique Rahman. We will announce our next decision at Monday’s press conference.”
Their statements make it clear that several parties have already begun discussions with Jamaat.
Mustafizur Rahman Iran, Chairman of the Bangladesh Labour Party, said “Many within the alliance have been denied places in the BNP’s list. More will be left out. Our party meeting decided we will not maintain relations with a party that abandons its allies in difficult times.”
“Jamaat and others want to form an alliance. We are communicating with them. We will form a coalition if the assessment is favourable. Otherwise, we will contest independently,” he told TIMES.
Meanwhile, Jamaat assistant secretary AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad said, “We are in communication with many who have fought the anti-fascist movement alongside us. Though we currently have eight parties, several more may join us soon.”
Several parties are expected to join Jamaat and negotiate seat-sharing; this is thought to be why they are delaying their candidate announcements.
Multiple BNP sources say the party does not intend to leave vacant seats for allies, as most partner parties hold little electoral ground. In addition, due to amendments to the Representation of the People Order (RPO), candidates of small parties must now contest using their own symbols—posing a major challenge for them in winning seats.
Who previously stood with BNP
Those who fought alongside BNP against the Awami League government include the 12-party alliance, the 11-party Nationalist Like-Minded Alliance, and the six-party Ganatantra Manch led by ASM Abdur Rab, Mahmudur Rahman Manna, and Zonayed Saki.
Other like-minded groups include Colonel Oli Ahmed’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Bobby Hajjaj’s National Democratic Movement (NDM), Andalib Partha’s Bangladesh Jatiya Party (BJP), and Nurul Haque Nur’s Gana Adhikar Parishad, along with the Amar Bangladesh Party (AB Party).
Those denied nominations
BNP nominated its own candidates in Kishoreganj-5, the constituency of top leader of the 12-party alliance Ehsanul Huda and in Narail-2, the seat of NPP Chairman and Coordinator of like-minded alliance Dr Fariduzzaman Farhad.
“Suddenly I saw a party nominee placed in my constituency. This is outright betrayal,” Dr Farhad said.
Although rumours suggested BNP would leave Pirojpur-2 for Bangladesh Labour Party Chairman Mostafizur Rahman Iran, the party nominated its own candidate there as well.
Gono Forum Executive President Subrata Chowdhury was denied nomination for Dhaka-7, despite contesting Dhaka-6 under BNP symbol in 2018. Ganatantra Mancha leader Saiful Haque sought nomination in either Dhaka-8 or Dhaka-12, but BNP placed its own candidates in both seats.
Those still in negotiation
In the 28 constituencies BNP has not yet allocated, like-minded allies under consideration include: Mustafa Jamal Haider (Jatiya Party–Zafar) Pirojpur-1, Mahmudur Rahman Manna (Nagarik Oikya) Bogura-2, Andalib Rahman Partha (Bangladesh Jatiya Party–BJP) Dhaka-17, Shahadat Hossain Selim (LDP) Lakshmipur-1, Tania Rab for Lakshmipur-4 in place of JSD President ASM Abdur Rab who is ill, Bobby Hajjaj (NDM) Dhaka-13, Zonayed Saki (Ganasamhati Andolon) Brahmanbaria-6, Prof Omar Faruq, son of Lt Col (retd) Oli Ahmed (LDP) Chattogram-14, Dr Redwan Ahmed (LDP) Cumilla-7, Nurul Haque Nur (Gana Adhikar Parishad) Patuakhali-3, Rashed Khan, the party’s General Secretary Jhenaidah-2.
BNP may also nominate Jamiat-e-Ulama-e-Islam Bangladesh leaders: Ameer Obaidullah Farooq in Sylhet-5, General Secretary Manjurul Islam Afendi in Nilphamari-1, Junayed Al-Habib in Brahmanbaria-2, Monir Hossain Kasemi in Narayanganj-4.
