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Almost three weeks after the BNP unveiled its list of potential contenders for 236 constituencies, a quiet unease is spreading among the party’s allies.
What began as hopeful indications for a unified electoral strategy has now turned into growing frustration, as the long-expected seat-sharing negotiations show little sign of progress ahead of the national election.
Leaders of alliance and like-minded parties said the uncertainty has left them confused, anxious, and unable to begin formal campaigning in their constituencies. They also feared that in many shared seats, BNP leaders might contest as independents, violating party decisions and risking the allies’ chances of winning.
The alliance leaders said BNP should not only finalise seat-sharing promptly but also rein in its grassroots so that no one challenges the party’s decisions. Leaders from almost all allied parties said they are growing frustrated as time passes without any final decision.
One senior leader said, “BNP must understand that every single day is important for election preparation. We cannot sit idle while BNP candidates are already campaigning.”
Several senior BNP leaders admitted to UNB that seat sharing has become very difficult, mainly because of the gap between the number of seats sought by alliance partners and the number BNP is willing to offer. They also noted that under the amended Representation of the People Order (RPO), partners must contest under their own election symbols, making the situation more complicated.
According to BNP leaders, the party is ready to share at most 30 to 40 seats with allies, but the expectations of the allied parties are too high and do not match ground reality.
One BNP Standing Committee member, speaking on condition of anonymity, told UNB, “We cannot take risks by giving too many seats. Our symbol, the Sheaf of Paddy, cannot be used by the partners. Many alliance parties have limited support on the ground. If they contest with their own symbols, their chances of winning will be low. We must be cautious.”
The BNP leader also hinted their party may drop plans to share seats with NCP due to offensive comments against BNP and its leadership. “Our Standing Committee members discouraged our Acting Chairman about sharing seats with NCP at a recent meeting.”
A leader from one of BNP’s allied parties said they feel “stuck”. Since BNP has already nominated candidates in most constituencies, many BNP aspirants have been holding rallies, going door-to-door, and campaigning in areas alliance partners want for themselves.
“If BNP’s potential candidate is already asking for votes, how can we start campaigning?” said a senior leader of a small alliance party. “This will only create tension and confusion among voters.”
Another allied leader said many voters are already identifying these constituencies with BNP’s Sheaf of Paddy symbol due to early campaigning. “If BNP later gives these seats to us, we will have to contest under our own symbols, which people may not recognise. It will be almost impossible to build a symbol’s identity in such a short time.”
Mahmudur Rahman Manna, a top leader of Ganatantra Mancha and president of Nagorik Oikko, told UNB, “BNP has not engaged in formal talks about seat sharing. If we receive a proposal about who they are considering for which seat, we will discuss it. But until now, we know nothing.”
He also said they understand BNP is taking time to put its own house in order before finalising the seat-sharing issue. “But at the same time, this delay is increasing our worries.”
Shahadat Hossain Selim, spokesperson of the 12-party alliance and chairman of Bangladesh LDP, said BNP has already signalled some leaders about possible nominations, but nothing has been finalised.
“Those seats which they intend to give should be announced officially as soon as possible for better coordination and preparation,” he said.
Dr Mostafizur Rahman Iran, chairman of the Labour Party, said BNP has still not held a formal meeting over seat sharing, which is hampering preparations.
He said he has been signalled to work in his home constituency of Pirojpur but has not receiving support from local BNP leaders, as his candidature is yet be formally announced.
Iran said the Labour Party and other small parties applied to the Election Commission to allow contesting using their own or the alliance’s symbols. “It seems BNP is waiting for the EC’s decision. If accepted, BNP may be more generous in sharing seats with the alliance,” he said.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir told UNB that the party is seriously reviewing lists submitted by allies. “We will finalise seat sharing based on field realities, public acceptance, and the winnability of candidates.
BNP Standing Committee member Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan said the alliance will not get as many seats this time as in 2018, and the party may offer 30 to 40 seats at most, especially as Jamaat-e-Islami is contesting separately.
Another Standing Committee member, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, said seat sharing has not yet been finalised. “We may not be able to give every party the number of seats they want, but some seats will be allocated,” he said.
He added that BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman is reviewing the matter and will make the final decision after discussions in the Standing Committee.