Photo : Collected
Since mid-December, no fewer than 25 Jatiya Party (JaPa) candidates have formally withdrawn their nominations and subsequently pulled out from the ongoing elections. This withdrawal has led to a cessation of all campaign activities in the constituencies associated with these candidates. The candidates, collectively asserting the capability to contest in 300 seats nationwide, have criticised the central decision to concede 26 seats, deeming it as a 'misjudgment' on the part of the Jatiya Party.
According to political analysts, the choice to engage in electoral compromise in 26 constituencies has fostered a perceived sense of 'neglect' among candidates in the remaining constituencies. This has resulted in a discernible disconnect between the grassroots and the central leadership, potentially posing a threat to the Jatiya Party's organisational resilience in the aftermath of the elections.
The grievances voiced by the candidates who withdrew from the election revolve around the perceived lack of attention from the party's top leadership, the absence of financial support from the party fund, and, in certain instances, a reluctance to partake in the compromise election due to concerns about an unfair electoral environment and seat distribution.
But the top leaders of the party said that the candidates have the freedom to withdraw from the election. They claim that many candidates are inactive or withdraw due to lack of financial solvency.
Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader said, “Those who are announcing their withdrawal from the election by blaming us in front of the media, are against party discipline and are motivated. They are withdrawing for their own interests. The financial status of all candidates is not equal. That is why some are not campaigning, and some are stepping back.”
In this election, Jatiya Party gave candidates for 265 seats. However, later the party met with the ruling Awami League in several stages and agreed on 26 seats. From the beginning, there was dissatisfaction among the grassroots leaders of the party. As a result, 25 Jatiya Party candidates have announced to withdraw from the election till Thursday.
Jatiya Party's Chuadanga-1 seat Sohrab Hossain and Chuadanga-2 seat Rabiul Islam announced their withdrawal from the election in a press conference last Wednesday. Sohrab Hossain alleged the demeaning behavior of the party chairman and general secretary.
Sylhet-5 Constituency JaPa candidate Sabbir Ahmed has also withdrawn from the election citing lack of fair election environment and 'pressure'. On the same day, Gaibandha-5 candidate Ataur Rahman Ata withdrew from the election, complaining that the situation was not favorable.
Earlier on Tuesday, the candidates of Tangail-7, Dinajpur-2, Gazipur-4 and Sunamganj-1 announced their withdrawal from the election. And on Monday (January 1), the nominated candidate of Jatiya Party for Habiganj-2 constituency announced not to contest.
On December 31, the candidates of Barisal-2, Barisal-5, Barguna-1 and Gazipur-1 constituencies also announced their withdrawal from the election. Last Sunday, Jatiya Party candidate MM Niaz Uddin announced his withdrawal from the election in two constituencies in Gazipur. He is also the president of Gazipur metropolis of Jatiya Party.
JaPa presidium member Shafiqul Islam Sentu, who was a candidate for Dhaka-13 and 14 constituencies but later withdrew, said, “GM Quader, Mujibul Haque Chunnu and Anisul Islam Mahmud have resorted to dishonesty. They have destroyed the party for personal gain. They are holding elections in agreement with the government.”
According to political analyst Zobaida Nasreen, numerous leaders and activists within the Jatiya Party found it challenging to align with the compromise reached between the party and the Awami League concerning the allocation of 26 seats. This discontent arises from the perception that the Jatiya Party doesn't harbor significant concerns about constituencies beyond the scope of this agreement.
Root-level leaders of the Jatiya Party feel that they have no value to the central leadership. For them the importance is the agreement made with Awami League. Thus, a kind of 'neglected' feeling has been created among those activists who are participating in the elections outside the agreed constituencies, she added.
Messenger/Fameema
