Condemns BNP during the day, visits leaders' homes at night: Who is Abdul Kader talking about?

Abdul Kader, a former leader of the Bangladesh Ganatantrik Chhatra Sangsad, has accused an unnamed political leader of "hypocrisy" in his secret dealings with the BNP over seat-sharing for the upcoming national election.

In a Facebook post this morning, Kader alleged that a so-called "uncompromising" leader and his "imam sahib" had held three meetings in the past 15 days with BNP leader Salahuddin Ahmed at his residence to negotiate the sharing of 20 parliamentary seats.

He claimed that while the leader in question "loudly condemns" the BNP in the media during the day, he and his "imam sahib" visit BNP leaders' homes in secret at night to strike political deals. 

Kader, without mentioning any name, further alleged that the same leader had also met with BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir once.

According to Kader, the leader's public criticism of the BNP is merely part of a "negotiation tactic" meant to gain leverage in seat-sharing talks. 

"While basking in self-satisfaction, he even brags about it! Yet, look at what was supposed to happen after the mass uprising – the old political parties were meant to come closer to the youth, with the youth taking the driver's seat," wrote Kader, who is also a key figure in the 2024 July Uprising.

"But now," he continued, "the imams themselves are sitting and bargaining for twenty seats! They hurl insults in the media as a seat-sharing strategy, then go sit humbly at [political] leaders' homes – and still fail to secure the seats!" 

He ended the post with a mocking "Ha ha ha," ridiculing what he called "political theatre."

Without naming any party, Kader criticised its internal leadership, alleging it has become "the personal property of a handful of people" engaged in blackmail, exclusionary politics, and "quorum games." 

He claimed these individuals would not hesitate to "sell themselves" if they could secure their desired constituencies.

"They call each other 'friends' – blackmailing on one side and sidelining on the other," he wrote. 

"The party has become a personal fiefdom. If they get their own seats, even the so-called uncompromising leaders wouldn't hesitate to sell themselves. But if anyone is victimised by their clique-based politics or dares to act independently, they're branded as dream-sellers. 

"I won't even mention the list of twenty names for whom seats have been demanded."

Kader concluded by suggesting that once ordinary members realise the extent of "monopolisation and manipulation" within the party, "they too will finally wake up."

The allegations come amid rising speculation about possible seat- and cabinet-sharing negotiations between the National Citizen Party (NCP) and the BNP. 

On 5 November, several major newspapers reported that the NCP had sought 20 parliamentary seats and cabinet positions from the BNP.

However, the NCP has strongly rejected these reports, issuing a formal rejoinder to a Prothom Alo story titled "NCP seeks 20 seats and cabinet share from BNP."

NCP Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary dismissed the reports as "pseudo-journalism," saying, "Either do journalism or politics."

The speculation gained momentum after the BNP left several constituencies vacant, including Dhaka-9 and Dhaka-10, where NCP leaders Tasnim Jara and Adviser Asif Mahmud have respectively expressed intentions to contest.

These developments, combined with Kader's accusations of backroom dealings and internal manipulation, have deepened questions about the NCP's internal cohesion and its alleged behind-the-scenes coordination with the BNP.