The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Awami League (AL)-led 14 party alliance is yet to reach a consensus on the issue of seat sharing, as the allies are bargaining over getting more seats than they deserve, a party insider said.

The issue remains unsettled after a series of meetings of the alliance in presence of AL chief Sheikh Hasina, as most of the parties have resolved to secure as many seats as possible.

Due to the protracted bargaining, the relation of AL with its partners may get sour. Especially, AL will have to concede a large share of seats to two major partners, Jatiya Party and Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), party source said.

On the other hand, if AL relinquishes a large number of seats to the two parties, the nomination deprived local AL leaders may go for tougher movement programme. That's why the party has fallen in a dilemma over seat distribution.

AL has already finalised party's nomination for 300 constituencies. Some of the AL ticket holders will have to withdraw their nominations, in the event of alliance partners getting those seats. As a result, clashes may take place in different constituencies between supporters of the AL leaders and 14-party alliance nominees.

Party source said AL had nominated Aslamul Haque for Dhaka-14 and Asaduzzaman Khan for Dhaka-11. But for the interest of the alliance the party may have to sacrifice these two seats. Moreover, AL may sacrifice a seat of Mirpur area for Hasanul Haque Inu, president of Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD).

Meanwhile, AL sat with Jatiya party last night to discuss seat sharing. According to the party sources JP proposed a list of 60 aspirants of the party to AL requesting to award them the tickets of the alliance to contest in the parliamentary polls. But AL will likely consider only 30 to 35 seats for JP.

Talking to the New Nation JP Presidium Member GM Kader said, " The process of settlement of the seat sharing is under process. It requires more inspection."

On this issue of seat sharing with JP, AL presidium member Begum Matia Chowdhury told the New Nation, " Discussion is going on. We want to award nomination after BNP finalises the nomination. Ershad is shouting for too many seats. We have to sacrifice a little for the sake of the alliance."

The AL and JP at a recent bilateral meeting had drawn up a regulation for seat distribution. The two party leaders reached a consensus that the alliance would award nomination to such candidate who is capable to clinch victory and on the basis of previous success record.

Talking to the New Nation a senior leader of Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) informed that the party has sent a list of 30 aspiring candidates to the AL president's office. The AL chief had assured them to allocate nearly 20 seats for the party.

However, a few days ago LDP president Col (Retd) Oli Ahmed in a meeting of Democratic Jubodal warned that he would contest in the election alone, if AL does not meet his demand properly.

Rashed Khan Menon, president of Workers' Party Bangladesh (WPB) informed this correspondent that a list of 39 aspirants has been given to the AL president. "We have also conveyed the message to the AL president for which seats we are giving priority," he added.

Talking to the New Nation Menon said, "As we have submitted the name of 39 persons, so our demand is for the same number of seats. AL has not assured us how many seats they will consider. It will be finalised after further discussions with us and other partners."

Talking to the New Nation, Hasanul Haque Inu said, " We have demanded 20 seats for contesting in the upcoming parliamentary election. Negotiation is going on to settle the issue."

Syed Jafar Sazzad of JSD said he had proposed the AL president to award 14 party nominations on the basis of efficient leadership and organising capability of the candidates.