BNP’s seat-sharing math stirs unease among allies
The BNP's calculations over sharing seats with its allies for the next general election are becoming increasingly complex, with frustration mounting among like-minded parties.
Alliance partners complain that many BNP leaders continue campaigning in constituencies where allies are also in the field. They say the BNP leadership has taken no initiative to rein in grassroots aspirants, heightening their concerns.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. The issue has grown more challenging after proposed changes to the Representation of the People Order (RPO), which would bar allies from contesting under the BNP's electoral symbol, the paddy sheaf.
Senior BNP leaders admit it is a difficult balancing act: giving seats to allies with little chance of winning while trying to pacify their own leaders angry about losing nominations.
Two alliance chiefs told The Daily Star that the BNP must clarify its stance soon. "BNP leaders are seeking nomination and campaigning in the same seats where allies are present, so BNP should speak clearly and state its position, as time is running out," one said.
Nearly 25 alliance leaders interviewed in the last two days echoed this view.
These parties staged protests simultaneously with the BNP against the previous government. BNP senior leaders said that around 53 parties joined their movement.
The BNP had earlier pledged to form a national government with its partners if elected, and senior leaders say seat-sharing will be decided in favour of the most active allies with realistic chances of victory.
Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman assured some 60 leaders in August that partners would be part of a future government. Insiders say he is monitoring campaigns and measuring popularity through surveys.
RISK OF LOSING
BNP aspirants warn that giving seats to weak partners could cost the party victories.
In Jhenaidah-2, for instance, Gono Odhikar Parishad's Rashed Khan and BNP district unit President Abdul Majid are both campaigning.
Majid said, "If the party gives the nomination to Rashed, BNP will lose this seat. He is not active here and has very few supporters."
Rejecting Majid's claims as "false", Rashed told The Daily Star last night that spreading such claims against a political leader is "never right".
"I regularly visit my area and meet people. The people of my area love me," he said.
Similar tensions exist elsewhere.
In Brahmanbaria-6, Ganosamhati Andolon's Zonayed Saki is campaigning while former BNP lawmaker Abdul Khaleq seeks nomination.
Khaleq said Saki's support is so low that without the BNP's symbol his chances are "zero".
Asked about Khaleq's claims, Saki told this newspaper, "We are preparing for the election in our own way. At the same time, discussions are going on with the BNP about sharing seats."
"In the constituencies where the BNP will share seats, the party will decide how it will manage its leaders and activists there."
In Kishoreganj-5, Bangladesh Jatiya Dal Chairman Ehsanul Huda and BNP's Mujibur Rahman are both in the race.
Mujibur noted that a letter from the BNP's central leadership only asked for cooperation with allies, not nomination withdrawal.
In Patuakhali-3, Gono Odhikar Parishad's Nurul Haque Nur and BNP's Hasan Mamun are both campaigning.
Mamun said, "If Nur is given this seat, BNP will lose it. Local people want only a BNP leader here, not from an ally."
Tensions in the district have already boiled over. In June, BNP and Gono Odhikar activists clashed in Galachipa upazila, leaving 30 people injured and a BNP office vandalised.
Nagorik Oikya Convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna is expected to run from Bogura-4, where a BNP hopeful is also seeking nomination.
A dozen BNP leaders from similar constituencies told this newspaper they share the same concern: weak allies could hand rivals an advantage.
FRUSTRATION AMONG PARTNERS
Alliance leaders say BNP's delay in giving assurances is sending the wrong message.
Manna, also coordinator of Ganatantra Mancha, said many fear time is running out.
"In my own area, one of my leaders was stabbed. I informed the BNP's central leadership, but nothing happened. If grassroots leaders do not follow instructions even after central directives, then there is nothing to say," he said.
The Ganatantra Mancha is a platform of six parties that staged protests with the BNP simultaneously.
Saiful Huq of the Biplobi Workers Party warned that BNP fielding its own candidates against partners "will not send a good message".
Jagpa President Khandaker Lutfur Rahman of the Jatiyatabadi Somomona Jote, a group of BNP's like-minded parties, said BNP's own leaders would feel betrayed if seats go to outsiders.
Jamiat Ulama-e-Islam Bangladesh Secretary General Monzurul Islam Afendi said it was "definitely a discomfort" when an ally's main rival is a BNP aspirant.
Five leaders of the 12-Party Alliance, speaking anonymously, admitted their organisations were much weaker than BNP at the grassroots. "If they cannot control it now, how will they manage it later?" one asked.
BNP insiders said allies have been asked to submit candidate lists and that seat-sharing talks are expected to conclude this month so that joint campaigns can begin.
BNP Standing Committee member Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku said the party is prioritising seats where alliance leaders stand a stronger chance of winning.
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