No decision yet on seat-sharing of 14-party alliance

The Awami League-led 14-party alliance is yet to decide whether they will participate in the upcoming national elections as a coalition and how many seats they would be sharing among them. 

However, a section of leaders of the alliance have indicated that they would participate in the polls from alliance and a decision may come soon.

Leaders of Workers Party, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal, Samyabadi Dal, Jatiya Party, Bangladesh Tarikat Federation, and Ganotanti Party already wrote to the Election Commission, seeking to contest the polls with the symbol of boat.

Political observers say the Awami League may break the alliance and have the partner contest separately to enhance participation by accommodating a greater number of candidates. 

In a coalition, all partners, including the AL, would be elected under the boat symbol, limiting the opportunity to diversify the election process, they said.

A leader in the alliance said no matter how they contest the election, as in previous instances, the AL is expected to leave 12 or 14 seats for partners. "However, there is a demand for an increase in the allocation of seats for the partners this time."

AL General Secretary Obaidul Quader on Saturday said, "The focus at the moment is not on alliance partners but rather on selecting candidates who enjoy popularity."

Quader stated the decision hinges on the alliances formed by opponents. "If a significant alliance is established, we will respond accordingly; otherwise, alliances are unnecessary."

He added, "We will not form alliances without a strategic purpose." 

Amir Hossain Amu, a member of the Awami League Advisory Council, informed TBS that the alliance remains intact as per the previous decision. "However, the strategy for candidate selection has not been finalised yet, and a decision will be made shortly."

Dilip Barua, general secretary of Bangladesher Samyabadi Dal, told The Business Standard that his party wants to participate as a coalition. 

He said the decision on joining or breaking the coalition will depend on meeting with the prime minister.

Partners want more seats

Members of the 14-party coalition are reportedly seeking double the number of seats compared to the last national parliament election. Leaders in alliance partners would look for more than 30 seats from the Awami League. 

Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal's Hasanul Haque Inu expressed the intention to propose an increase from four to 8-10 seats for his party. 

Sources said the AL may field its candidates for 250 seats. Depending on the situation, a maximum of 18 seats may be released for the parties in the alliance.

The rest of the seats will be distributed among the allies outside the alliance, they said, adding that the ruling party is open to leaving two seats for Bikalpa Dhara and 20-25 seats for the Jatiya Party.

Besides, some seats may be kept for the leaders of BNP and like-minded parties who will come to the polls.

AL finalises 300 candidates today

The ruling party has convened 3,362 AL aspirants to the Ganabhaban on Sunday morning. The party will finalise its candidates for 300 seats by Sunday afternoon. 

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will give several instructions to the nomination seekers at Ganabhaban, sources said. 

She is likely to instruct them to support whoever is nominated, and work to increase voter participation in the elections and counter the anarchy that the BNP-Jamaat is creating to foil the elections.

She will also warn against potentially running as rebel candidates, emphasising strict consequences.

According to sources, a preliminary list of 300 candidates will be finalised for now, with the possibility of some candidates being withdrawn as seats are shared with the partner parties.