Compared to the 11th Parliament, the number of seats of Jatiya Party has decreased to half. The party has won 22 seats in the eleventh but this time it is winning only 11 seats.
Although the final results have not been announced, the party has released the list of winners in 11 seats. On the other hand, 11 candidates have announced to boycott the election even on the polling day, alleging various rigging.
Jatiya Party Secretary General Mujibul Haque Chunnu did not agree to give any response in this regard. He told Barta24.com, "Not today, I will respond tomorrow (January 8).
The party in the opposition not faced such a fragile result since its establishment. The previous lowest record was 14 seats in 2001. Jatiya Party elected from 2008 Grand Alliance. The party's candidates won 27 seats in that election and 33 candidates were elected in the 2014 election, including 20 unopposed and 13 more through elections.
Awami League left 26 seats to Jatiya Party in 2018 elections, Jatiya Party candidates contested in 278 seats in all. Among them, Jatiya Party candidate won one seat out of 21 more open seats.
The role of Jatiya Party was clouded from the beginning with this election. The position of the party regarding participation in the elections was mysterious. Although the Election Commission fixed the schedule for November 15, the party's position on the election question was suspended until November 19. The distribution of party nomination forms started on November 20, but the issue of participation in the elections was kept in the dark.
During the days of selling the nomination forms, the party said that the election process is being pushed forward, and it will be announced later whether JP will participate in the elections. Finally, the Secretary General of the party said to participate in the election on November 22. On November 27, the party released the list of candidates for 294 constituencies. On the other hand, Jatiya Party's Chief Patron Roushan Ershad withdrew from the election on November 29 as the seats of her followers including her son Saad Ershad were not confirmed.
After submitting the nomination, the leaders of the party held regular meetings with the Awami League. There are various rumors about seat sharing. In those days, the leaders of the party again spread the fog regarding participation in the elections. The news of boycotting the election spread, the matter was kept a mystery by the party. Due to this, the candidates of the party sit with folded hands from the electoral field till December 17 (withdrawal of nomination papers). Due to this, many people fell back from the electoral race.
At the last moment of withdrawal of nomination papers, Jatiya Party made a compromise with Awami League on 26 seats. Awami League removed the boat from those seats. After that announcement, the ordinary candidates outside the 26 seats became angry. Many felt that their participation is now only a question of legitimizing the election. That is why they were not willing to campaign by spending their own money. Till December 30, many aspirants visited the party chairman's office regarding party funds. But not getting a response, they left the electoral field with frustration. They complained that they could not meet the party chairman and Secretary General. They called them but did not receive.
Again, the lack of coordination of the party in the election was visible. Party Chairman and Secretary General were busy in their seats. They showed no interest in exploring other constituencies or sending a central team there. Party Chairman GM Quader was in Rangpur but did not visit the surrounding districts. Candidates have done what they can. Many candidates dropped out of the race at the last minute due to financial constraints.