Candidates of the main opposition of the parliament Jatiya Party (JP) have challenged the ruling Awami League nominated candidates in at least 50 constituencies in the forthcoming parliamentary elections. 

The JP current parliamentarians, who didn’t get compromised seats, are showing their strength and popularity in their respective constituencies against the ruling party candidates.    

Sources said JP lawmakers -- Sayed Abu Hossain Babla (Dhaka-4), Kazi Firoz Rashid (Dhaka-6), Liyakot Hossain Khoka (Narayanganj-3), Mashiur Rahman Ranga (Rangpur-1), Saad Ershad (Rangpur-3), Pir Fazlur Rahman Misbah (Sunamganj-4), Nasrin Jahan Ratna (Barisal-6), Rustum Ali Faraji (Pirozpur-3), and Rawshan Ershad (Mymensingh-4) didn’t get empty field as Awami League has kept these constituencies out of consensus. Of them, Rawshan Ershad and Saad Ershad didn’t take party nominations. On the other hand, Mashiur Rahman Ranga and Rustum Ali Faraji didn’t get the JP nomination this time. 

Sayed Abu Hossain Babla is a two-time lawmaker in a row. As JP Dhaka Metropolitan South Unit president, he made a strong position in his constituency. He is a heavyweight candidate against the Awami League nominated candidate in the Dhaka-4 seat.

Kazi Firoz Rashid has already withdrawn his candidature as he is not interested in fighting against the boat. But Liyakot Hossain Khoka is contesting in the Narayanganj-3 constituency against the Awami League candidate as he has a stronghold in the area. Besides, Pir Fazlur Rahman Misbah and Nasrin Jahan Ratna are also showing their strong position against the ruling party candidates in the Sunamganj-4 and Barishal-6 seats respectively.   

Alongside these current lawmakers, some other important JP candidates are also fighting hard against the candidates of the boat. They are -- Salma Islam (Dhaka-1), Saifuddin Ahmed Milon (Dhaka-7), Atiqur Rahman Atiq (Sylhet-3), Sabbir Ahmed (Sylhet-5), Hosne Ara (Cox’s Bazar-1), Mohammad Tareq (Cox’s Bazar-3), Mostafa Al Mahmud (Jamalpur-2), Aminul Islam Jhontu (Sirajganj-2), Mukter Hossain (Sirajganj-6), A K S M Shahidul Islam Chandpur-1, Anisul Islam Mondol (Rangpur-2), Nur Alam Mia (Rangpur 6), Abul Kashem (Tangail-6), Ameer Hossain Bhuiyan (Cumilla-1), Mostafa Kamal (Cumilla-11), Shahrier Jamil Juwel (Kushtia-1),  Lt. Col. (retd) Taslim (Nilphamari-1), Major (retd) Mahfuzur Rahman (Jhenaidah-2), Firoz Shah (Jashore-2), Md. Zahurul Haque (Jashore-4), Engineer Mainur Rabbi Chowdhury (Gaibandha-3), Md. Mobarak Hossain Dulu (Brahmanbaria-5), Iqbal Hossain Tapas (Barisal-5), Saiful Islam (Narayanganj-1), Alamgir Sikder Loton (Narayanganj-2), and Md Yeahia (Sylhet-2).   

Expressing dissatisfaction and anger, some JP leaders alleged that the Jatiya Party has sacrificed some senior and heavyweight candidates in the seat consensus with the Awami League. Deprived JP leaders are unhappy with the decision of the party high-ups. They claimed they have been victimized by the party's senior leaders in the seat distribution. But they want to show their popularity in the election. They are campaigning strongly and showing their strength. 

Despite the allegation, JP's top leaders remain silent in this regard. Top leaders who were in charge of nomination distribution knew the matter from the very beginning. But they didn’t disclose the matter until the last date of candidature withdrawal to maintain discipline in the party. All but 26 JP candidates are trying heart and soul to win the polls without party tickets.

@ The article was published on print and online versions of The Bangladesh Pratidin on December 26, 2023 and has been rewritten in English by Golam Rosul.