Has the necessity of Jatiya Party, partner in 2008, 2014 and 2018 elections, decreased to Awami League? Faithful companion Raushan Ershad is not getting much response from the government.
Such discussions are being whispered among the senior leaders of the Jatiya Party about the flow of events for several days. They said that Raushan Ershad is not getting the schedule even after asking for the meeting time of the Prime Minister for several days. Apart from the meeting issue, there is not much interest visible from the government's side in seat compromise. Due to this, many people have started moving from their previous position on the election question. They think that those who come out of the BNP alliance may be given more priority.
Many senior leaders do not see any point in going to the polls without securing seats. The pressure is increasing on GM Quader to withdraw from the election. Many people think that there will be no surprise if the announcement of withdrawing from the election comes suddenly like in 2014.
Raushan Ershad, who has been the leader of the opposition in two consecutive parliaments, has given full support to all the issues of the government. Raushan even walked outside the Jatiya Party's decision regarding the 12th Jatiyo Sangsad(JS) elections. While party chairman GM Quader was against elections under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Raushan was on the opposite side. That's why her expectations are very high.
The Raushan camp thought that the 12th JS elections will be held by Raushan as in 2014 and 2018. In those two elections, Raushan Ershad's blessings were elected as MPs. Raushan's blessing is necessary to become an MP. That is why many senior leaders who are with GM Quader are also secretly maintaining contact with Raushan.
Raushan's followers had a firm belief that Chairman GM Quader would not be able to facilitate even if he were to take any drastic action on the party's leadership question. An example of which has been seen in the context of the issue of the leader of the opposition. That's why the followers of Raushan have remained independent about the nomination of Jatiya Party and the upcoming elections. But frustration started to build as Raushan Ershad's followers were kept out of the nominations.
They have been running for days. In addition to trying to meet the Prime Minister, she continues to talk to various agencies of the government, but there is not much response from anywhere. Their thought was that if the GM Quader goes to the hard line, they will declare a separate party. Their desire to form a separate party is now dying on the ground but still unwilling to give up. Hoping for a miracle, the Jatiya Party will go to the polls under Raushan's leadership. And the Raushan nominated candidates will be elected as MPs on the green signal of the government. However, the Jatiya Party has not nominated any of them.
Jatiya Sangsad Opposition Chief Whip Mashiur Rahman Ranga MP said on Tuesday (November 28), something miraculous can happen in the Jatiya Party. On the other hand, Raushan Ershad's political secretary Golam Masih said, Madam (Raushan Ershad) will meet the Prime Minister. Talk to her and then make the next decision. Raushan Ershad is thinking of staying out of the election if necessary.
Not only the Raushan camp but also the GM Quader camp is said to be growing frustrated. Before the announcement of the schedule, there was pressure on them to go to the elections in various ways. It is said that 60 seats were demanded by GM Quader, and Awami League agreed to give 40 seats. Suddenly, many people are seeing the tide of the discussion. Especially when Awami League announced candidates for 298 seats, many people were disappointed. Many senior leaders thought that Awami League would give up their seats like in 2014 or 2018. And in a vacant field without the BNP, they will easily win and go to parliament. Now they are afraid to fight with Awami League candidates.
Senior Co-Chairman Barrister Anisul Islam Mahmud MP, Co-Chairman, Former Secretary General ABM Ruhul Amin Howladar, Kazi Feroz Rashid MP, Syed Abu Hossain Babla MP and many other leaders have now decided to withdraw from the election. Some of them are saying to the chairman that the election will be rigged and there is no point in going here. Our candidates cannot stand up to Awami League candidates.
Sources said that along with GM Quader's proposal of 60 seats, Raushan has also given a separate proposal on the issue of seat compromise. Raushan Ershad met the Prime Minister before announcing the election schedule and submitted the list of 35 possible members of Parliament. However, the Prime Minister has urged for a combined list.
Jatiya Party Secretary General Mujibul Haque Chunnu said last week that the matter is not completely true, nor is it false.
The list of Jatiya Party candidates was released on November 27, leaving 11 seats vacant including the Mymensingh-4 (Sadar) seat of Raushan Ershad MP. Raushan Ershad is upset over son Saad Ershad MP's nomination of GM Quader in Rangpur-3 constituency.
Apart from the party conflict, there is a crisis of confidence of Jatiya Party leaders in the government. Jatiya Party feels that Awami League has not kept any of its promises in the elections of 2008, 2014 and 2018. They have been wronged in many ways. From by-elections, upazila parishads to unions, concessions were not given anywhere. JP candidates have been forced to sit many times. For that reason, they have considerable doubts about how much they will keep their promises this time. That is why the Jatiya Party wants to confirm the division first and then make a decision. They want to be sure by any means so that Awami League can no longer break its promises. On the other hand, many have commented that the government is not able to fully trust the GM Quader.