AL's apparent rivals seek compromise over seat sharing, use of ‘Boat’ symbol

The governing Awami League has successfully brought together moderate, small, Islamic, and other parties, including the Jatiya Party (JaPa), to participate in the forthcoming 12th parliamentary elections that have been boycotted by the de facto opposition party, BNP.

However, instead of competing against the Awami League, these parties are interested in collaborating and sharing seats with the ruling party. Many of these political parties have even been requesting the AL to use its election symbol, the boat, for their top leaders.

In a recent development, the General Secretary of Jatiya Party, Mujibul Haque Chunnu, and Anisul Islam Mahmud had a discreet meeting with Awami League leaders, including Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader, to discuss a potential seat agreement.

The details of the meeting were kept confidential, and neither side disclosed the venue or the content of the discussion. However, sources suggest that the meeting took place at a politician's residence in Gulshan. The discussions revolved around the benefits that Awami League could offer to Jatiya Party in the upcoming election, including the allocation of seats. 

After the meeting between the Jatiya Party (JaPa) and Awami League leaders, Mujibul Haque Chunnu informed Prothom Alo that various issues were discussed in the meeting, but nothing has been finalised. JaPa plans to hold a press conference on Thursday to provide a detailed statement regarding the discussions.

Awami League joint general secretary AFM Bahauddin Nasim, who participated in the meeting, shared with Prothom Alo that there was a consensus with JaPa about participating in the elections and advancing the democratic process. He described the meeting as fruitful.

It was previously reported that some top leaders of JaPa had a meeting with Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at Ganabhaban on Tuesday night. 

Additionally, on 4 December, members of the Awami League-led 14-party alliance held a meeting with the prime minister at Ganabhaban, where they discussed seat sharing. However, the final decision on how many seats will be allocated with the boat symbol has not been settled yet. 

In addition to the 14-party coalition, the Jatiya Party (JaPa), the main opposition party in parliament, is also reportedly seeking to secure the boat symbol for the upcoming elections.

However, they are not openly expressing this desire. Some leaders within the party are in favour of obtaining the boat symbol. Additionally, the Islamic parties and a newly registered party known as the 'King's Party' are also vying to secure the boat symbol.

Out of the 44 registered parties, 29 are set to participate in the 12th National Parliament elections, though this number may change following the finalisation of the nomination list.  

A closer analysis reveals that at least 20 of the participating parties express interest in contesting the elections directly with the boat symbol. Some smaller and Islamic parties, while participating independently, are inclined towards a seat agreement with the Awami League.

Meanwhile, certain parties acknowledge that they may not obtain the boat symbol but are seeking recognition as allies of the Awami League in the elections.

According to sources, many leaders within the ruling Awami League have opted to run as independent candidates in many constituencies, alongside the official Awami League party candidates. This approach has prompted leaders from other participating parties to recognise the challenges they face in terms of financial, organisational, and human resources, leading them to seek compromises.  

The overarching strategy involves reaching compromises for key and influential seats first, allowing the Awami League to have candidates in other constituencies, showcasing their participation in the electoral process. 

The deadline for withdrawing candidature is 17 December. The finalisation of agreements in the intervening period is important.

AL General Secretary Obaidul Quader, during a press conference at the party president’s political office, addressed questions about the opposition landscape.

When asked about seat compromises with JaPa and the 14-party coalition, and who would be the opposition, Quader mentioned, “When the time is right, the opposition will stand up. Apart from that, there are many other parties. There are various parties including Trinomul BNP, BNM, Supreme Party, and so on.”

Responding to the question of who the opponent in the election would be, Quader stated, “All the opponents participating in the election are our rivals. Those who are taking part, all are rivals of each other.”

In 2008, a grand alliance was formed in the elections, led by Awami League, Jatiya Party, and some other smaller parties.

In the 2014 elections, which was boycotted by BNP, Awami League, Jatiya Party, and members of the 14-party alliance won unopposed in 153 seats, with elections held in the remaining seats.

In the 2018 elections, where all parties participated, Awami League agreed on seats with the 14-party coalition, Jatiya Party, and Bikalpa Dhara.

JASAD president Hasanul Haque Inu shared his perspective, stating that the current fight is between boycotters and participants. Adjustments in seats may occur if participants agree. While it may seem that the parliament has only like-minded and allied members, it doesn’t mean opposition voices cannot be present in the parliament.

After the announcement of the election schedule, leaders of Trinomul BNP, known as King's Party, including Shamsher Mobin Chowdhury and Taimur Alam Khandaker, met with the Prime Minister at Ganabhaban on 20 November. The details of the meeting were not disclosed by any side.

On 24 November, leaders from nine Islamic political parties had a meeting with the Prime Minister, lasting about two and a half hours. During this meeting, the participants expressed their desire for assistance in becoming members of parliament.

The groups represented in the meeting included Islami Oikya Jote, Islamic Front Bangladesh, Bangladesh Islami Front, Bangladesh Khilafat Andolan, Bangladesh Muslim League, Bangladesh Supreme Party, Bangladesh Islami Oikya Jote, Ashekane Auliya Oikya Parishad, and Jamiate Ulamae Islam Bangladesh.

Earlier, on 30 November, leaders of Khilafat Rabbani Bangladesh and Nizam-e- Islam Party also met with the Prime Minister at Ganabhaban, announcing their participation in the elections.

Supreme Party Chairman Syed Saifuddin Ahmad Maizbhandari later met with General Secretary Obaidul Quader at the AL president's political office in Dhanmondi. Maizbhandari, who is contesting from Dhaka-14 and Chattogram-2 constituencies, discussed strategies for securing victory in his respective seat during this meeting.

According to sources within the Awami League and the government, negotiations for seats based on the demands of participating parties may result in the discounting of 80-90 seats.

In preliminary discussions, Jatiya Party (JaPa) has insisted on no fewer than 40 seats, while members of the 14-party alliance have expressed priority in 25 seats.

Other parties, including Bikalpa Dhara, Trinomul BNP, BNM, Supreme Party, and BNF, have been seeking an additional 15 seats. Central leaders of the Awami League and several ministers of the government have also engaged with Islamic parties, who are reportedly expecting around 10 seats.

Awami League sources suggest that JaPa may be assured of winning at least half of the seats held by them, along with members of the 14-party alliance and some top leaders of other parties. Smaller Islamic parties and King’s Party may seek compensation through other means.

According to these sources, parties negotiating seat compromises might not play a significant role in mobilising voters across the country, and the importance of independent candidates, especially those affiliated with Awami League, is considered greater in this election.

Badiul Alam Majumder, the Secretary of Sushashoner Jonno Nagorik (SHUJAN), a civic organisation focused on the electoral system, mentioned that Awami League could potentially win all the seats, given the absence of participation from BNP and other boycotting parties. The participating parties also know this.

He further said that is those parties have been either seeking for a seat compromise or boat symbol. The whole world considers this type of election as one-sided.

* The report, originally published in the print and online editions of Prothom Alo, has been rewritten in English by Farjana Liakat