The opposition Jatiya Party (JP) is taking preparations to give candidature in all 300 parliamentary constituencies in the next national polls.

Although Jatiya Party participated in the last election with the coalition of the ruling Awami League, its chairman GM Quader has been criticizing the government daily. He has been alleging that fair election is not possible under the current government. 

Contacted, GM Quader told Bangladesh Pratidin that the election situation is now uncertain. “We primarily are taking preparations to give candidature in 300 seats. We are selecting candidates. The decision will be taken later about sole participation or alliance participation. People’s expectations will be given importance on the matter.”  

Policymakers of the party are worried about the present political situation, and the party’s anti-government and anti-Awami League statements ahead of the next parliamentary elections. 

Several co-chairmen of JP told Bangladesh Pratidin that Jatiya Party is a little bit sceptical about the internal and international powers ahead of the polls. For this reason, the party’s policymakers don’t want any final decision at this moment. Besides, the stance of JP’s chief patron Raushan Ershad is not clear yet. Senior leaders are thinking about all the matters.  

Party sources said although Jatiya Party participated in the last three elections with Awami League-led coalition, this time the 12th national election will be a different one. The party is taking preparations to give candidature in 300 constituencies despite eligible candidate shortage. Besides, it keeps the option to participate in the polls with the ruling party’s coalition. However, if JP makes a coalition with the Awami League, it might seek at least 100 seats. On the other hand, JP has been contacting the BNP as an alternative.

In the election of 2018, the ruling Awami League gave 45 seats to its allies. Out of these 45 seats, JP got 29 seats and 22 candidates were elected in the polls. Rests four are reserved for women parliamentarians.

JP leaders think, if the party makes a coalition with Awami League, they will get more seats this time. They said selecting 50 eligible candidates among 300 seats is very difficult for the JP. Besides they are well informed about winning possibility in the 50 seats. That is why, a big portion of the party wants to make a coalition with the Awami League.

On the other hand, if BNP can change the current situation through movement on the streets, JP will take decisions as per the latest situation, they opined.

@ The article was published on print and online versions of The Bangladesh Pratidin on June 18, 2023 and has been rewritten in English by Golam Rosul.