Trinamool BNP sells 246 forms when it wanted to contest in 300 seats

The Trinamool BNP has sold 246 nomination forms earning Tk12,30,000 in the last four days although the party announced to contest in all 300 constituencies in the upcoming national elections.

The party has extended the deadline for selling nominations till 5:00pm Wednesday.

Trinamool BNP's General Secretary Taimur Alam Khandaker told The Business Standard, "We are going to participate in the elections with the aspiration of forming the government. Our participation is not merely an act of opposition to the Awami League."

He said they have some candidates in reserve and will also give the opportunity to those who are joining them to get elected in various constituencies.

They have also extended the time by one day and many people will take forms then and it will not be impossible to field candidates in 300 seats.

The party joined an electoral alliance with the Pragatishil Ganatantrik Forum after a meeting with the forum on Monday.

Azim Uddin Ahmed, general secretary of the forum, said "Due to legal obligations, we have to participate in the election in alliance with Trinamool BNP, a registered party. We are taking the nomination form of Trinamool BNP."

Taimur Alam Khandaker said on Monday, that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had given them assurance of ensuring a fair and level playing field in the upcoming parliamentary election.

"We had a meeting with the prime minister on Sunday night, during which she affirmed her commitment to a fair and participatory election.

Addressing the perception that the party is campaigning for the Awami League, he said, "The prime minister is a legal post. We did not approach Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in her capacity as the leader of the ruling party. Instead, we addressed her as the head of government and requested that she uphold a fair and equitable environment during the upcoming elections. She subsequently assured us that the elections will be in a free and fair manner."

"We also want the BNP to come to the elections. People wish for a participatory election. If the prime minister can bring the BNP to the elections, it will be her success. We want that too," he added.

Earlier, the newly registered political party Bangladesh Nationalist Movement (BNM) announced its intention to field candidates in 300 seats in the upcoming elections. 

Four former parliamentarians of the BNP have joined the BNM, including Shah Mohammad Abu Zafar, who has been appointed as the party's acting chairman.

Jatiya Party sells 1,179 nomination forms in two days

Jatiya Party has sold 1,179 nomination forms in two days, earning Tk35,370,000 although party leaders are yet to decide whether to join the national election. 

Party Chairman GM Quader has collected nomination forms for two parliamentary seats, but Chief Patron Raushan Ershad and her son Saad Ershad have not collected any forms.

Around 622 nomination forms were sold on Tuesday, said the party's Press Secretary Khandaker Delwar Jalali. 

Party Office Secretary Mahmud Alam told TBS yesterday night that their top leaders are in the process of making a decision regarding their participation in the upcoming national election. Despite their efforts, they have not yet been able to schedule a meeting with the Prime Minister to discuss the matter further.

Party Secretary General Mujibul Haque Chunnu said an environment of confidence for the elections has not yet been created. He believes that change of power is not possible without elections, but that an environment of confidence for the elections has not yet been created.

Another faction of Jatiya Party, Jatiya Party-JP, has also started selling nomination forms. They are planning to run in the election jointly with Bangladesh Awami League.

Jatiya Party-JP Secretary-General Sheikh Shahidul Islam told TBS, "We have sold around 100 nomination forms as of Tuesday. We will be voting with the Awami League under the boat symbol. We anticipate that the Awami League will allocate 15 seats to our party.