JP unrelenting in its demand for free ride
Jatiya Party is pressing the Awami League to withdraw its nominated and "independent" candidates from over 30 constituencies so that the JP contenders do not have to face tough battles.
The main opposition in parliament made the demand during a meeting with an AL delegation on Saturday.
AL leaders Jahangir Kabir Nanok, Mahbubul Alam Hanif, and Mirza Azam, and JP Secretary General Mujibul Haque Chunnu and Senior Co-chairman Anisul Islam Mahmud were present at the meeting.
After the meeting, the JP delegation held a meeting with the party's co-chairmen and informed them about the development on the seat-sharing issue with the AL.
"In the meeting, we have told the Awami League that the party will have to ensure that no AL candidates will contest in at least 30 to 35 seats," said a JP co-chairman yesterday.
"Besides, we also demanded that no independent candidates of the Awami League run there," he said, wishing anonymity.
During the meeting, AL delegates agreed with the JP's demand for withdrawing AL nominees, said another JP co-chairman, seeking anonymity.
JP leaders think it would be difficult to win polls against the "AL independents".
But the AL leaders did not say anything about the JP demand for taking steps to have the "AL independents" withdrawn.
They said if the independents are forced to withdraw their nominations, then it would be criticised at home and abroad as the election would be considered as "compromising election."
They also argued that AL independents are necessary to ensure presence of more voters in the election, the co-chairman added.
Apart from that, if the independents withdraw, the election will lose its festive mood. Voter turnout may also decline.
AL leaders said they will discuss the seat-sharing issue with party President Sheikh Hasina and will inform the JP of the final decision.
A JP senior leader said the seat-sharing issue is likely to be settled today as AL and JP delegations are set to meet to finalise the matter.
JP insiders said the seat-sharing issue with AL is at the final stage as the ruling party assured that JP will be given a "respectable" number of seats.
During a meeting with the AL on December 6, JP demanded the AL withdraw 70 of its nominees.
The JP even hinted that it would quit the race if its "minimum" demand was not met.
The party has filed candidates in 287 constituencies.
Comments