Discontent Simmers in the Awami League-led 14-party coalition ahead of the 12th National Parliament elections, with dissatisfaction brewing over the allocation of constituencies.

Both the Jatiya Party and the 14-party alliance partners have expressed disappointment with the number of constituencies conceded by the Awami League. Jatiya Party leaders feel shortchanged with their 26 allotted constituencies, while the alliance partners yearn for more than the seven offered.

The Awami League, however, appears resolute in its decision to field independent candidates as part of its election strategy. This refusal to budge on the issue further compounds the anxieties within the coalition.

"Several leaders of the Jatiya Party and alliance partner parties have voiced their frustration," reports one source close to the negotiations. The discontent threatens to undermine the unity of the coalition and potentially affect its performance in the upcoming polls.

Coalition partners were given concession in 16 constituencies by Awami League in the 11th parliamentary elections, but this time it has been reduced to seven. The ruling party has not exempted the Bikalpa Dhara and Tariqat Federation represented in the current parliament.

The seven constituencies vacated include three each for Bangladesh Workers' Party and Jasad and one for Jatiya Party-JPK. Several high-level sources of Awami League have confirmed that another constituency may also be released in the end for the Tariqat Federation.

Meanwhile, the opposition party in the National Parliament, the Jatiya Party, is also afraid to vote alone. That is why the constituencies have been compromised with the Awami League. A total of six rounds of meetings were held regarding the 12th Parliament elections. This time 26 constituencies are being given to the Jatiya Party. Awami League is not fielding any candidates there. But they also have reservations about independent candidates.

The Jatiya Party was seeking 50 constituencies from the Awami League by holding round-by-round meetings on constituency sharing. However, the ruling party did not agree to give more than 26. Several leaders of the party have said that the Jatiya Party is not satisfied with the concession in 26 constituencies. Their expectations are higher.

In a press conference, the Jatiya Party Secretary General said, “Discussions are going on in the meeting, the issue of constituencies is coming up. Can't say more than that. I will write a love letter secretly, can I tell my parents first? Can relatives be told? can't say Later, when it is done, it can be said.”

A co-chairman of the Jatiya Party told Bangladesh Pratidin on condition of anonymity, “We have not been given constituencies as per our demand. If there are boat candidates or independent candidates of their party in the seats, then we will not participate in the elections.”

In the last parliamentary election, 16 constituencies were given to the alliance partners by the Awami League, but this time they announced seven. Leaders of alliance partners are also not happy with this concession of Awami League. Such a glimpse was found in the faces of the alliance partners. They became MPs with boats, and were also in the cabinet.

Jasad president and former information minister Hasanul Haque Inu told Bangladesh Pratidin, “Awami League's big leader standing as an independent candidate in the constituency of the coalition means taking it with one hand with the other. I hope that the leader of the alliance Sheikh Hasina and the coordinator of the alliance; will consider the issues.”

Rashed Khan Menon, president of the Workers' Party, said about the alliance's constituency sharing, “We are not at all satisfied with the constituency sharing. Our expectations were not met. Earlier also we were given seven, five constituencies. Now giving three, it doesn't seem to have been justified.”

(The article was published on print and online versions of The Bangladesh Pratidin on December 17, 2023 and has been rewritten in English by Tanvir Raihan)