The New Nation - Internet Edition

Talha Bin Habib

As the date for submission of the nomination papers is going to end on Sunday, the BNP led four-party alliance is yet to settle seats sharing among allies since the formal discussion between BNP and other partners are yet to start.

Leaders of the components of the alliance said so far BNP did not take any initiative for discussion with them despite sending the lists of their intending candidates for contesting the polls.

Besides, they are still uncertain how many seats they are suppose to get from BNP for contesting the forthcoming parliamentary elections on December 29.

"We expect to sit with BNP soon for settling the seat sharing issue among ourselves," said a leader of the alliance.

He said that it would be excellent if BNP allocates at least 50 seats to Bangladesh Jamaat-e- Islami, Bangladesh Jatiya Party (BJP), Islami Oikkya Jote (IOJ) and Khelafat Majlis.

Earlier after finishing two days of nomination form distribution that ended on Tuesday, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has decided to allocate about 37 seats to the partners of the four-party alliance, sources in the party said. "BNP has decided not to sale party nomination forms for 37 seats out of 300 constituencies which are likely to be given to our component partners of the alliance," said an influential leader of the party.

He said that initially the party has decided to allocate about 37 seats to the partners of the alliance.

Earlier BNP sold 3,186 party nomination forms to the aspiring candidates of 263 constituencies.

Jamaat was given 35 seats for contesting in the last year stalled parliamentary election.

"This year our grassroots level position and public support are better than in the last year and we are going to ask BNP to allocate more seats than the previous year's number," said an influential leader of Jamaat on condition of anonymity.

On the issue of possible seats sharing Barrister Andaliv Hossain, Chairman of BJP told the New Nation yesterday they are expecting discussion between BNP and his party today or tomorrow.

Asked whether they did get any formal invitation from BNP for discussion he said, 'not yet'.

On the seat bargaining with BNP he said, " Primarily we would bargain for at least 12 to 14" seats".

When asked if their demand for seats is not realised he said, " We are expecting to get 4 to 5 seats from BNP".

The Secretary General of IOJ Moulana Abdul Latif Nezami yesterday told the New Nation that they have handed over their list of party's intending candidates to BNP.

About the possible seat sharing of IOJ and BNP he said we desire to get at least 13 seats from BNP.

"We are going to seek 13 seats from BNP as we have all possibilities to emerge with flying colours in those constituencies in the polls," he added.