The TBH Desk
he Awami League (AL) led 14-party alliance will participate in the upcoming 12th Jatiya Sangsad (JS) polls as a coalition and the decision on seat sharing would be announced within 1-2 days, AL General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said today.
“There must be an agreement with the alliance regarding seat sharing. 14 parties may have demands. But Awami League will evaluate the popular ones. Candidates who can win the election will be given more importance,” he said during a press conference on Tuesday (5 December).
Prime Minister and AL President Sheikh Hasina held a 4-hour long meeting with the top leaders of the alliance partners at the Ganabhaban that started at 6pm on Monday (4 December), AL Office Secretary Biplab Barua said.
Biplab Barua said four party chiefs from the political alliance have been given the green signal to contest from 4 AL seats.
Apart from AL leaders, top leaders of the 14-party alliance were present at the meeting.
AL leadership has said that the decision on seat sharing will be announced soon after analysing the popularity of the candidates and their ability to win.
She also said that foreign powers are now imposing sanctions due to the propaganda spread by a vested quarter.
During the meeting, the AL president criticised the left-leaning parties who are boycotting the election.
“They are now united with the anti-independence forces. Do they not think once, what will happen if there is no election in the country? Who will come to power? What will be their status? They should think about these things,” she said.
PM Hasina also criticised the parties under the 14-party alliance for not being able to increase their strength after being in power for a long time.
“I have always wanted you to be self-reliant. Everyone will benefit if you win the polls on your own,” she added.
She advised the partner parties of AL to increase their strength and capabilities.
According to the sources present at the meeting, Rashed Khan Menon, president of the Bangladesh Workers Party, asked for a specific announcement about seat sharing.
“It would be better to announce now who will be given what among the leaders of the partner parties so the candidates can start preparing accordingly,” he said.
Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal President Hasanul Haque Inu raised the same demand.
However, Tariqat Federation Chairman Najibul Bashar Maizbhandari proposed to coordinate seats after discussing with everyone.