Decision on Jatiya Party joining alliance on 17 Dec: Quader

In the midst of internal policy divides, a decision on Jatiya Party joining the Awami League-led 14-party alliance for the upcoming national elections can be expected by 17 December. 

"At a meeting held on Tuesday, Jatiya Party expressed their interest in participating in polls alongside the Awami League. You will have to wait till 17 December for the decision," he said at a press conference organised at the political office of the Awami League president in Dhanmondi of the capital on Wednesday (13 December).

"There might be uncertainties and concerns within their ranks which need to be settled. We must wait until everything is sorted out," he said.

Top leaders of the ruling Awami League (AL) and the Jatiya Party (JaPa) reportedly met on Tuesday evening regarding the upcoming national elections.

The development comes hours after JaPa's chief patron Raushan Ershad met Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who is also the president of AL, and urged the latter to avoid any alliance or negotiation with the party. Raushan, accompanied by her son Saad Ershad, met with the premier at the Gonobhaban.

In response to a question about independent candidates, Obaidul Quader said there has been no room left for uncontested elections. 

"There are both independent and party-nominated candidates. Even in Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's constituency, four individuals are contesting. Similar scenarios exist in other constituencies," he noted, stressing that the elections is going to be competitive.

Expressing hope for significant voter turnout, Quader asserted, "Democracy will be perfected through this election."

Regarding uncertainties surrounding alliances, Quader dismissed rumours, stating, "Awami League is vigilant and unperturbed by these speculations. We've willingly embraced the challenge. Elections will be conducted on schedule to uphold constitutional continuity."

The dispute between two groups of the Jatiya Party, led by Raushan and Quader, has continued ahead of the national elections.

Neither Raushan nor any of her supporters have collected the forms by the deadline.

The rift has also become a matter of unease for the ruling AL, which expects the JaPa to contest the elections, even though the two are not part of any alliance this time around.