Jatiya Party is ‘unsatisfied’ with division of seats with allies

Jatiya Party Secretary General Mashiur Rahman Ranga says the party is ‘unsatisfied’ with the 29 seats assigned to it by the Grand Alliance, but is accepting it to ‘maintain relations’.

Ranga made the remarks on Monday at the party chairman’s office in Banani.

“The assessment was not accurate … our activists are unsatisfied. You can say that we aren’t satisfied. I am not satisfied on a personal level.”

“But when you are part of a family, there are some problems. Nevertheless, we have to work together in order to maintain our relationship.”

Though the Jatiya Party had hoped to be allocated 50 seats by the Grand Alliance, it was announced on Sunday that it received 29 seats from the party. The party will also be running 132 candidates separate from the coalition. The party may also be allowed to field 15 more in an appeal to the Election Commission.

It was later found that Awami League candidates had also been kept at three of the seats left for the Jatiya Party, leading to hesitation from Jatiya Party leaders.

Meanwhile, Awami League grassroots leaders have expressed anger and concern over the Jatiya Party fielding so many candidates.

Ranga said they had spoken to Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader on the matter.

“At one point we were discussing 54 seats and it slowly winnowed away to 26. The reason is that we are fielding candidates and so are they. We are continuing discussions on the distribution of seats. But there are some problems. I do not know who will be able to solve these issues.”

Returning officers began allocating election symbols to candidates on Monday.

“Symbols are being distributed today,” said Ranga. “The number of seats we get will be finalised today.”

He later announced that campaigning had begun on behalf of Jatiya Party Chairman HM Ershad in the Dhaka-17 seat.

Presidium Member SM Faisal Chishti will conduct campaign duties on his behalf due to Ershad's medical problems.