Jatiya Party finally in AL-led grand alliance with 49 seats

After a see-saw over seat sharing issue the Jatiya Party will contest the parliamentary election jointly with Awami League as a component of the grand alliance, as it has been ensured of 49 seats on Thursday.(The BD Today )

A rift had developed between Awami League and Jatiya Party centering seat sharing issue. As Awami League had offered 41 seats to Jatiya Party, it didn't accept the proposal. A series of meetings between Awami League and Jatiya Party failed to reach a consensus. Later on Wednesday, Jatiya Party Chairman HM Ershad went to Awami League President Sheikh Hasina's Sudhasadan residence to discuss the issue. On Thursday morning, while announcing his party's election manifesto Ershad said his party would contest the national polls along with Awami League-led grand alliance, if Awami League withdraws its nominations from 47 seats by five pm.

Later a crucial meeting between Awami League and Jatiya Party leaders was held at Sudhasadan and they reached a consensus over seat sharing. Awami League Presidium member Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim and Spokesman Syed Ashraful Islam and Jatiya Party Secretary General ABM Ruhul Amin Hawlader and Presidium Member Ziauddin Bablu took part in the closed door meeting.

Emerging from the meeting Ziauddin Bablu told journalists that Jatiya Party would remain with Awami League-led grand alliance and contest the national election unitedly. "We had some misunderstandings between us. But through fruitful discussions, we have reached a consensus on seat sharing. We have been given 49 seats as per demand. We hope that, Jatiya Party and Awami League-led grand alliance will contest the 9th parliamentary election jointly. Besides, we are expecting that we will be able to form a democratic government," Ziauddin Bablu said.

It may be pointed out that the much-talked about grand alliance led by Awami League is now trimmed by the desertion of Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh, Gono Forum and Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).

The alliance now comprises Awami League, its 14-party allies and Jatiya Party (Ershad) which after hard bargaining has realized nominations in 49 seats. The Awami League-led alliance had been formed with a view to curb corruption, keep prices at a tolerable level and establish people's fundamental rights.

Meanwhile, yesterday LDP Chief Colonel Oli Ahmed said as his party after a series of meetings with Awami League-led grand alliance, failed to take final decision on forming alliance, LDP has decided to contest the poll alone. "We did not face any difficulties on seat sharing but Awami League didn't make clear its final stand about our joining with the alliance. Meanwhile, following Awami League's indecision about LDP, the party has wasted its valuable times. So we have decided to contest the national parliament election alone. We have given nominations in 53 constituencies. The candidates who have the probability to win will contest the poll but those who have no possibility, should withdraw their candidatures," Oli Ahmed said.