Most of the 64 parties that joined the BNP-led anti-fascist movement now want to contest the upcoming 13th national election under the "paddy sheaf" symbol. According to party insiders, BNP has decided to leave about 70 seats for its partners to help restore democracy and accomodate allies.
Several parties from the Ganatantra Mancha are seeking a seat-sharing deal, while groups under the 12-Party Alliance, the Nationalist Like-Minded Alliance, and others want a formal electoral alliance with BNP.
By seat-sharing, these parties mean BNP will not nominate anyone in the constituencies where their own candidates are running. That would mean no contest under the paddy sheaf symbol in those seats.
However, smaller allies complain that some BNP leaders have started campaign in the same constituencies, making it hard for weaker partners to run. To resolve this, most leaders of the alliences now prefer to use BNP's 'paddy sheaf' symbol.
Experts say that without the 'paddy sheaf', their chances of winning will be very low.
A proposed amendment to the Representation of the People Order (RPO) now threatens this plan, requiring all parties, even in alliances, to contest under their own symbols. Around 50 smaller party leaders have urged the Election Commission and the interim government not to enforce the rule.
Mustafa Jamal Haider, Chairman of Jatiya Party (Jafar) and head of the 12-Party Alliance, told The Daily Observer, "I want to contest from Pirojpur-1 constituency. We want to contest the election in an alliance, just like we did in the anti-fascist movement with BNP." He said BNP has already assured them that certain seats will be left for allies.
NDM Chairman Bobby Hajjaj said, "I want to contest from Dhaka-13 constituency. We will mainly contest the election as an alliance with BNP, so we are selecting candidates for the seats on behalf of the political alliance."
BNP Standing Committee Member Nazrul Islam Khan told The Daily Observer, "In the last election, we gave them our election symbol, the paddy sheaf. This time, no decision has been made yet. We will inform the media once a decision is taken."
Meanwhile, the People's Unity and Mass Solidarity Movement, both part of Ganatantra Mancha, plan to contest independently through seat-sharing while using their own symbols.
Jonayed Saki, Chief Coordinator of the Mass Solidarity Movement, said, "We want to contest the election on the basis of seat-sharing. For this, we are working to make our Democracy Mancha stronger." He added that his party would contest under the 'Mathal' (straw hat) symbol.
Mahmudur Rahman Manna, President of Nagorik Oikya, said, "Our alliance Ganatantra Manch has initially finalized 150 candidates. We will announce their names soon. We are also trying to expand our alliance, and after discussions with other political parties, we will nominate candidates for more seats." He added, "I will contest from Bogra-2, Shariatpur-1, and one seat in Dhaka."
Party insiders say conflicts are intensifying in several constituencies. In Jhenaidah-2, Rashed Khan of the People's Rights Council and BNP's Abdul Majid are both campaigning. Majid warned, "If the party nominates Rashed, BNP will lose this seat. Rashed is not active here and has very few supporters."
Rashed Khan responded, "Such remarks against a political leader are not appropriate. I regularly visit the area and meet people. The people here love me."
Similar rivalries are seen in Brahmanbaria-6, where Mass Solidarity Movement leader Jonayed Saki and former BNP MP Abdul Khalek are both seeking nomination. Khalek said, "Saki's chances of winning without the BNP symbol are zero."
In reply, Saki said, "We are preparing for the elections in our own way. Discussions are ongoing with BNP on seat-sharing. BNP will decide how to manage their leaders and activists in the seats they leave."
In Kishoreganj-5, Bangladesh National Party Chairman Ehsanul Huda and BNP's Mujibur Rahman both want to contest. Mujibur said, "The BNP central leadership has asked us to cooperate with allied parties but did not instruct anyone to withdraw nominations."
In Patuakhali-3, People's Rights Council leader Nurul Haque Noor and BNP's Hasan Mamun are campaigning simultaneously. Mamun warned, "If Noor is nominated, BNP will lose this seat. The local people want a BNP leader here, not someone from an allied party."
The district is already buzzing with election excitement. In June, at least 30 people were injured in clashes between BNP activists and People's Rights Council members in Galachipa upazila, and a BNP office was vandalized.
BNP has tentatively decided to leave several seats for allies: LDP - Col. (Retd.) Oli Ahmed (Chattogram-14), Dr. Redwan Ahmed (Cumilla-7), Nurul Alam Talukder (Chattogram-7); Gana Odhikar Parishad - Nurul Haque Noor (Patuakhali-3), Rashed Khan (Jhenaidah-2); NDM - Bobby Hajjaj (Dhaka-13); BJP - Andalib Rahman Partha (Dhaka-17); and seven seats for 12-Party Alliance members including Mustafa Jamal Haider (Pirojpur-1), Ahsan Habib Lincoln (Kushtia-2), Shahadat Hossain Selim (Lakshmipur-1), and Syed Ehsanul Huda (Kishoreganj-5). BNP may also leave Narail-2 for Dr. Fariduzzaman Farhad's Nationalist Like-Minded Alliance.
Professor Kazi Mahbubur Rahman of Dhaka University told The Daily Observer, "If alliance members do not use BNP's paddy sheaf symbol, the election will be very difficult for them, as their message will not reach the general public." He warned that BNP rebel candidates could further weaken the seat-sharing strategy, saying, "If a BNP rebel candidate contests and wins, it will create more problems for the allies."
Last August, BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman assured about 60 allied leaders that they would be included in a future government. He is said to be closely monitoring campaign activities and assessing candidate popularity through surveys.
But some BNP candidates warn that ceding seats to weak allies could damage the party's prospects.
