JaPa leaders want 'boat' symbol to 'ensure' win in election

Jatiya Party (JaPa) remains uneasy despite the decision to participate in the elections. A significant section of the party's leaders is adamant about securing victory in the elections and, to achieve this, is pushing for the boat symbol, the electoral symbol of governing Awami League.

JaPa leaders assert that the ruling Awami League has nominated its own candidates, and the electoral landscape has become further complicated by the presence of multiple independent candidates in nearly all constituencies. In this challenging scenario, JaPa believes that unless Awami League candidates are withdrawn, their chances of winning the election are minimal.

Consequently, a substantial number of JaPa leaders are hesitant to take the risk of contesting the polls without a guarantee of success. Many, including the current parliamentarians of the party, prefer negotiating seats with the government, just like they did in the last two elections.

Their argument is that even in a neutral election, winning seems improbable, and they would rather secure victory through seat-sharing arrangements.

This faction is currently dissatisfied with the lack of negotiation initiatives from the government.

Currently, the Awami League has put forward candidates in nearly all constituencies, with the exception being the seat of Jatiya Party Secretary General Mujibul Haque (Chunnu).

Additionally, there are independent candidates affiliated with the Awami League in all constituencies. Notably, the nomination of Awami League candidate Nasirul Islam Khan for the Kishoreganj-3 seat, previously held by Mujibul Haque, was cancelled during the selection process.

The Awami League has nominated candidates for seats held by prominent Jatiya Party leaders, including GM Quader, Anisul Islam Mahmud, Ruhul Amin Howladar, Kazi Feroz Rashid, Syed Abu Hossain, Fakhrul Imam, Salma Islam, and Shamim Haider Patwari.

GM Quader and his wife Sherifa Quader are contesting in three constituencies in Rangpur and Dhaka, all of which have Awami League candidates. Tushar Kanti has been nominated by the Awami League in GM Quader's Rangpur-3 seat, and Mohammad Ali Arafat is the Awami League's candidate in Dhaka-17.

Sherifa Quader is a candidate for the Dhaka-18 seat, where Hasan Habib, an incumbent MP, has also been nominated by the Awami League.

Businessman and Awami League's Dhaka Metropolitan Industry and Commerce Secretary Khosru Chowdhury has been contesting as an independent candidate for this seat.

According to a reliable source within the Jatiya Party (JaPa), a meeting involving the party's top leadership and the Prime Minister is in the pipeline to discuss a potential seat compromise.

Senior co-chairman of JaPa, Anisul Islam Mahmud, stated to Prothom Alo on Tuesday night, “We may have a meeting with the Prime Minister. I can’t say when. When we meet (with the Prime Minister), we will talk about how the election will be conducted, so that the election is fair and proper.”

Individuals involved with the matter report that a significant portion of JaPa leaders, apprehensive about the upcoming elections, are actively lobbying the government through various channels to secure seats in parliament.

Faced with a lack of response to these efforts, they are now taking their concerns public to exert pressure on the government. Some leaders have even gone as far as to announce that they will not participate in the election unless the boat symbol is granted. This move is intended to prompt the government to consider options for seat-sharing or electoral compromise with JaPa.

This group of leaders believes that the government is already facing challenges, particularly since significant parties like the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) did not participate in the polls.

They argue that the government's position will become more precarious if JaPa, the main opposition party in parliament, announces a boycott of the elections. These leaders see an opportunity in this situation. 

In the previous two National Parliament elections in 2014 and 2018, JaPa participated in agreement with the Awami League, winning 29 seats in 2014 and 22 seats in 2018. According to party sources, JaPa is aiming for at least 40 seats in the upcoming 7 January elections if the ruling party initiates compromise talks.

Many leaders and workers within the Jatiya Party (JaPa) have expressed that the party once wielded considerable influence in various regions, including Rangpur, Nilphamari, Lalmonirhat, and Kurigram in the northern part of the country.

However, in recent elections, especially since opting for compromises, JaPa has seen a decline in organisational influence and support in these areas. Consequently, a majority of the leaders may face challenges in securing parliamentary seats through votes without a compromise with the ruling party.

In this election, JaPa has entered a different phase as the party's nominations were exclusively decided by GM Quader. The absence of senior party leader Raushan Ershad and his followers, including his son Rahgir Al Mahi Saad Ershad, from the election is attributed to nomination disputes.  

A prolonged disagreement between Raushan and GM Quader unfolded within the party. Notably, this election marks the establishment of sole authority for the party chief, a development unprecedented even during the time of the party's founder, Hussain Muhammad Ershad. 

Sources suggest that there might be ongoing negotiations behind Raushan Ershad being away from elections or the decision to reject her followers’ nominations.  

It is speculated that this arrangement could mean Raushan Ershad relinquishing influence over party nominations, and in return, GM Quader could lead the party as the opposition leader in parliament if there is an opposition party.

This could be part of an agreement with the government, especially since GM Quader had previously cast doubt on the fairness of elections under the current government, while Raushan Ershad expressed support for the elections.  

Ultimately, JaPa entered the elections under the leadership of GM Quader, and now the party's top leadership is working towards reconciling seats with the government. 

When asked about JaPa's strategy in this regard, JaPa Secretary General Mujibul Haque told Prothom Alo, "All parties have a strategy in elections. Everything can't be said."

At around 11:30 on Tuesday night, JaPa's General Secretary mentioned that Awami League leaders would meet with them on Wednesday. There may be discussions on seat-sharing in this meeting.

*This report, originally appeared in Prothom Alo print edition, has been rewritten in English by Farjana Liakat