Although about 450 candidates from seven registered Islamic parties or similar political parties are contesting in the elections to be held on January 7, none of these candidates have a chance of winning the election without the support of the government or the concession of the ruling Awami Is. League, people concerned have said.
Parties have an association with the government and their aim in participating in elections is to gain favor with the government.
Of the Islamic parties, only the Tariqat Federation had representation in the last two parliaments. As a nominated candidate of the Awami League and BNP, party chief Nazibul Bashor Maizvandari became the Member of Parliament from Fatikchhari in 1991 and 1996. Like the last two elections (2014 and 2018), he is a candidate from the Chattogram-2 constituency.
According to the Election Commission, 41 candidates of Tariqat Federation are valid in the screening process.
People concerned said that there is no possibility of any Tariqat Federation winning except Najibul Bashar’s constituency. If the election is held in a free and fair manner then it is difficult for Najibul Bashar to win as his nephew and Bangladesh Supreme Party (BSP) President Syed Saifuddin Ahmed has also been a candidate from this constituency. Both have followers in the area. Competition between two members of the family may intensify.