'I am with a party, I am in a coalition, there is no guarantee that I will win if I participate in the elections' - before the 12th national parliament elections, the main partner of the coalition and the general secretary of the ruling party Awami League, Obaidul Quader, leaders of the partners reacted angrily to the media at Quader’s comments.
BNP's adamant stance of not participating in the polls on the eve of the election, Raushan-Quader's open conflict in the Jatiya Party, western pressure etc. among various issues, this tension in the 14-party alliance is signaling a new crisis in politics. Rashed Khan Menon, president of Bangladesh Workers Party, one of the partners of the 14-party alliance, told Barta24.com on Tuesday about his party's position.
On the question of whether there is any dispute in the 14-party alliance on the question of going to the polls as an alliance, he said, 'There is no difference, we have said from the beginning that we have to discuss. But (the ruling Awami League) is not discussing, it has created a kind of uncertainty.
Regarding the recent speech of Awami League General Secretary on the need for a 14-party alliance, Rashed Khan Menon said, 'It is an irresponsible statement. The General Secretary of Awami League has said, and then we should say... a kind of confusion has been created in his speech.'
Highlighting the Bangladesh Workers Party's position on participation in the elections, the party President said, "Preparations are underway." I will participate in the election. How to do it has not been decided yet. Awami League, the main party of the alliance, if they are not united and then it is their business, not ours.
We are thinking every day that they will discuss it. They are not negotiating; it has created a kind of uncertainty. I think, in the question of the unity of 14 parties... the election is not the last word. The matter before and after the election remains. Rashed Khan Menon said that 14 parties will be needed to deal with that crisis.
Around 2004, before the 9th JS elections, Awami League and several other parties formed a 14-party coalition or grand coalition. Awami League, the main partner of the alliance, is still thinking about whether the 14-party coalition partners are needed in the Jatiya Sangsad elections to be held in January 2024. Obaidul Quader's statement at the political office of the party President in Dhanmondi last Saturday (November 25, 2023) caused discomfort among the alliance partners.
Obaidul Quader said in response to the journalists' questions, "The 14-party alliance has not been decided yet." I have not yet decided whether we need partners or not.
Quader said, "If our opposition makes a big alliance, we will have an alliance against it." Besides, why do we have to make unnecessary alliances? I will not join unless necessary. And with whom I will make an alliance, they must be accepted by the people.
Last Sunday (Kushtia-2 and Narayanganj-5 seats were left vacant), the ruling Awami League announced a single party candidate for 298 seats in the 12th JS Election. Among them, the president of the party, Bangabandhu's daughter, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, will contest from one seat in Gopalganj-3. Apart from this, the party's general secretary Obaidul Kader will contest from Noakhali-5 seat.
Yesterday Sunday (November 26, 2023) at 4 pm at 23 Bangabandhu Avenue Awami League central office, Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader announced the names of party nominated candidates for the 12th JS election.