4 Jatiya Party factions prepare for polls without grassroots presence

Infographics: TBS

The Jatiya Party, founded by former military ruler Hussain Muhammad Ershad, has experienced six splits over the years. At least four factions are now preparing for the upcoming national elections, despite showing little to no presence on the ground.

Anwar Hossain Manju's Jatiya Party (JP) and the faction led by Anisul Islam Mahmud have already formed an 18-party electoral alliance to contest the polls. Meanwhile, GM Quader's Jatiya Party (JaPa) is making internal preparations for the elections.

The Bangladesh Jatiya Party (BJP), led by Andaleeve Rahman Partha, is expected to contest in alliance with the BNP. 

In his constituency, Dhaka-17, Partha is campaigning under the BNP's "paddy sheaf" symbol rather than his own party's "ox-cart," while other members of his party have yet to launch any campaigns.

However, the High Court on 11 December upheld the provision of the Representation of the People Order (RPO) requiring political parties to contest the upcoming 13th national election with their own party symbols, even if they form an alliance. 

Since the ouster of the Awami League government on 5 August, JaPa and JP have largely remained on the sidelines. A decision on whether they will be allowed to contest is still pending from the government or the Election Commission. 

Political analysts said that, since the Jatiya Party's registration has neither been cancelled nor suspended, there should be no legal barrier to their participation.

Party leaders said that in recent months, police restrictions on meetings and rallies, attacks on offices, exclusion from Election Commission consultations, and being sidelined from the political process have prevented their factions from mobilising on the ground. 

The calls to ban the Jatiyo Party as the facilitator of the Awami League in their authoritarian regime from 2009 to 2024 gained public attention after activists from Gono Odhikar Parishad, including the president Nurul Haque Nur, were beaten during a protest over this demand. 

Jamaat-e-Islami and the National Citizen Party also sought a ban on the organisational activities of the Jatiyo Party.

Recent splits in the party

The most recent split occurred on 7 August this year, breaking away from GM Quader's leadership. The new faction elected Anisul Islam Mahmud as chairman, ABM Ruhul Amin Howlader as secretary general, and Kazi Firoz Rashid as senior co-chairman.

The first split was in 1996 when Anwar Hossain Manju broke away with Awami League backing. Subsequent divisions followed in 1999, 2003, 2013, and after Ershad's death in 2019. The last split before this year occurred in February 2024 amid tensions between GM Quader and Raushan Ershad.

GM Quader prepares candidates for 300 seats

Despite concerns over the election environment and a level playing field, GM Quader-led JaPa is ready to contest all 300 parliamentary seats, prioritising 50-60 key constituencies. The party also plans to form new alliances or join larger coalitions once the election schedule is announced, which was announced yesterday for 12 February. 

Secretary General Barrister Shamim Haider Patwary told The Business Standard, "Our initial plan is to field candidates for all 300 seats. However, we're concerned about whether a level playing field can be ensured."

He added, "If the government guarantees a level playing field, we will prioritise 50-60 seats in northern and southern regions while preparing candidates for all 300 constituencies. After issuing our manifesto, we may also coordinate with allies and adjust seat allocations accordingly."

18-party alliance

Leaders of two factions – Anisul Islam Mahmud (JaPa) and Anwar Hossain Manju (JP) – have accused the interim government of making free and fair elections impossible. Nevertheless, both factions joined forces with 16 other parties on Monday to launch a new coalition, the National Democratic Front (NDF).

On the day of the announcement, Anisul said, "Under current conditions, a fair election is impossible… The people want change, and all must unite to pressure the government for a neutral, transparent, and acceptable election."

NDF spokesperson Ruhul Amin Howlader added, "The nation is passing through a critical period. Uniting all political forces is now our main responsibility. Excluding anyone will undermine the election."

Manju criticised the government's failure to ensure an impartial administrative framework, saying it should have mitigated political conflict to guarantee free and fair polls.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, a leader of one faction said, "Hasina has used us for her own interests. We were never partners in power. When it suited her, she granted us seats; when not, she denied them and left us appearing guilty before the nation."

Co-chairman Syed Abu Hossain Babla added, "We formed this 18-party alliance solely to participate in the election. If a level playing field is ensured, we will field candidates collectively. Yet the government has not withdrawn the false cases against many of us, and despite need, we are barred from travelling abroad."

Who will get 'Plough' symbol

Both recently split factions claim the Jatiya Party's election symbol, the "Plough." Separate councils led by GM Quader and Anisul Islam Mahmud each assert they represent the "main party," and both have applied to the Election Commission for the symbol.

As the election schedule was announced yesterday, the symbol is expected to be allocated to GM Quader's faction as the main party. Anisul Islam Mahmud's group has reportedly approached the courts over the issue.

GM Quader's faction, however, is unconcerned. Shamim Haider Patwary told TBS, "Claiming it doesn't automatically give anyone the Plough. We are the main party and will contest using the Plough symbol."