Uncertainty has increased over the allocation of constituencies between Awami League and Jatiya Party in the upcoming 12th parliamentary elections. The top leadership of the ruling AL has expressed doubt that the GM Quader-led caste party may withdraw from the elections. The Awami League has shown no inclination to discuss seat-sharing.
The leadership of the Jatiya Party is trying to understand the doubts suddenly expressed at the top level of the government. According to several Jatiya Party leaders, this suspicion has appeared to put additional pressure on the party, which has recently asserted its status as a more independent political entity.
Awami League chairperson and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed doubts over the leadership of the Jatiya Party during an informal discussion after the Cabinet meeting on Monday. Two ministers who attended the meeting told Prothom Alo on condition of anonymity that the prime minister said the Jatiya Party could not be trusted, and he stressed the unpredictability of the party’s decisions.
Jatiya Party have kept Raushan Ershad and her son Rahgir Al Mahi Ershad (Saad Ershad) away from the polls, and there is no guarantee regarding the Jatiya Party’s actions in the upcoming elections.
The suspicions of the government and the top leadership of the Awami League gave rise to analysis and discussion in the Jatiya Party as well as in the Awami League. Amidst such circumstances, both the Awami League and the Jatiya Party clarified their stand on various issues including elections, apportionment and seat-sharing.