Awami League has given the candidates of their own party the chance to contest as independent candidates even though the matter goes against the constitution of the party. However, the technique taken by AL to ensure the presence of voters and strong competition has created a complex situation for the party including the heavy-weight candidates, present MPs and ministers. The tension is working more intensely to the alliance partners of AL.
The nominated candidates of the alliance have been given the boat symbol. But, they don’t want the presence of independent candidates in the voting field. They don’t want to fight with anyone of the AL with the boat symbol in their hand and demanded a clear decision regarding it from the high command of AL.
For this reason, the coalition partners held meetings with Awami League from time to time, but no solution was found. Awami League has given up a total of seven seats including alliance partner Workers Party, Jasad, JP and newly registered Supreme Party. They are waiting for the signal to board the boat. On the other hand, there is seat yet for the Jatiya Party, Tarikat Federation and BNM, Trinamool BNP. Apart from this, several parties participating in the election met Awami League President Sheikh Hasina a few days ago. In addition to expressing their decision to go to the polls based on their confidence on the government, some have asked for the consideration of Awami League so that they can be elected members of parliament. These leaders want Awami League to bring them to parliament either by boat or by 'concession' or 'leave'. But there was no response from Awami League.
Jatiya Party, the opposition party in the current parliament, has always been saying that they will come to power if they get anti-Awami League votes. But in the end, the ruling party has doubts whether the party will be in the field of vote or not. However, the National Party is repeatedly discussing with the Awami League about seat compromise. Awami League and Jatiya Party also held a meeting on Thursday night.
Jatiya Party Secretary General Mujibul Haque Chunnu said in a press conference in Banani on Thursday afternoon, "We have hundred percent confidences in the Prime Minister.”
He also said that the meetings with the Awami League will continue in phases before the elections. Chunnu said, "We want seats from the people. Not want from any party. There was a discussion with Awami League about the voting environment. It is not that what you are hinting at has not been discussed, many things are being discussed.”
A source of Awami League said Jatiya Party has given a list to Awami League. They want seat concession according to the list. One of the conditions of the Jatiya Party is that no boat candidate can be in those seats. They are also afraid of independent candidate of Awami League. Again, those who got boats by becoming candidates of Awami League are also afraid of independent candidates. Supporters of Awami League candidates versus independent candidates have clashed in various places. There have also been cases of death.
According to the sources, the Awami League announced the candidates for 298 seats in the 12th National Assembly elections. Then the candidate changed in Jhalkathi-1 seat. BNP Vice Chairman Shajahan Omar was given a boat there. Boat's candidature in three seats has been cancelled. So far there are 295 people in the field. A few MP candidates may lose their seats due to concessions given to the alliances partners. Awami League high command will make this decision within a few days.
It is known that out of 300 seats, except for the 32 seats of top leaders and ministers, independent candidates are making contest in rest other seats. Independent candidates are quite strong in many places. This has now put some Awami League candidates in extreme crisis. In addition to dichotomization as a party, there are strong fears of losing several seats. Leaders-ministers-MPs and boat candidates are at risk of losing their positions. They are trying to making compromise in different ways. But the coalition partners are expressing their dissatisfaction directly. They are talking about not only keeping the boat candidates away but also the party independent in the meeting with Awami League.
In this context, Hasanul Haque Inu, president of Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSAD), a partner of the 14-party alliance, told The Bangladesh Pratidin, "There have been several meetings with the Awami League regarding the distribution of seats. I am waiting for Awami League to solve it within a few days.
Regarding having an independent candidate in the alliance seat, Hasanul Haque Inu, a member of parliament from Kushtia-2 constituency, said, "The influential leaders of Awami League standing as an independent candidate in the alliance seat means taking away the seat with one way or another." I hope the leader of the alliance Sheikh Hasina and the coordinator of the alliance will consider the issues.''
He remarked that Awami League gave the boat, and there were also candidates of their party - it means Awami League vs Jasad, Awami League vs Workers Party or Awami League vs Tarikat Federation. .
In the meetings with the alliance partners Awami League have talked about independent candidates. A strong demand has been made in favor of not keeping the Awami League leaders who have become independent candidates in the field, just as they should be given boats by putting boat candidates. Awami League has not given anyone a clear idea about this. Jatiya Party also wants concession of seats from Awami League. Although the leaders of the two parties held a meeting on the matter, both sides have been claiming that they discussed only about elections.
Meanwhile, in the constituencies where there are strong party independent candidates, boat candidates are also under extreme tension. They are trying to attract the attention of party president Sheikh Hasina. Some are trying to talk to the party president in Dhaka about this. Some are coming to the party general secretary and making a lot of allegations against the 'independent' candidates. But the general secretary of the party is informing the candidates that there has been no change in the party's decision regarding independent candidates. He is also talking to the media about this. Talking to the media in the last two days, Awami League General Secretary, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said, "If an independent candidate goes beyond the boundaries of a heavyweight to advance in popularity (win), we cannot stop it. Democracy is all about competition, fair elections and healthy competition. We consider the candidate here as a candidate. At the same time, the general secretary of the party also said that there is no decision regarding the expulsion of those who have become independent candidates from Awami League.
Awami League nominated candidates are not able to say anything about this due to such instructions from the Centre. But they are very uncomfortable. Especially in places where the individual is stronger than the candidate of the boat, there is nothing to do but just watch and observe for the time being.
Bd-pratidin English/Lutful Hoque
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