Trinamool BNP on Wednesday (November 29) announced its candidates for 230 constituencies in the upcoming 12th Jatiya Sangsad election slated for January 7.
“We will field candidates in 300 seats. We will finalize the names of the remaining 70 people shortly,” Trinamool BNP’s General Secretary Taimur Alam Khandaker said this at the party’s office in the capital’s Paltan area.
You Can Also Read: BNP Could Join The Polls As Anti-gov Movement Faltering
The party sold more than 500 nomination forms as of November 29 and announced that anyone interested still can buy the form.
“We have given priority to those who are working for society in various ways – teachers, journalists, doctors, lawyers and other professionals,”
Taimur Alam Khandaker
He also said that the party has fielded multiple candidates in some seats.
Prime Minister’s Assurance
Earlier on November 20, the party said 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,”
Taimur Alam Khandaker
He added, “The prime minister called us after observing our public support. Despite attempts by several other parties, they were unable to secure a meeting with the Prime Minister.”
On November 13, in a media report, Trinamool leaders claimed that several BNP higher-ups had contacted Trinamool expressing their intention to join the party. These higher-ups include members of BNP’s Standing Committee and Vice Chairmen, among others. Over 600 leaders and activists, including defectors from the BNP, have already joined Trinamool BNP.
Parties in Polls
A number of 26 parties as of November 29 have decided to take part in the polls.
They are: Awami League, Jatiya Party (Manju), Bangladesh Samyabadi Dal, Krishak Shramik Janata League, Gonotantri Party, Bangladesh National Awami Party, Workers Party of Bangladesh, Bikolpodhara Bangladesh, Jatiya Party, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (Inu), Zaker Party, Bangladesh Tarikat Federation, National People’s Party, Gono Front, Bangladesh Jatiya Party (Mukit), Islamic Front Bangladesh, Bangladesh Kalyan Party, Islami Oikya Jote, Bangladesh Islami Front, Bangladesh Muslim League, Bangladesh Sangskritik Muktijote, Bangladesh Nationalist Front, Bangladesh Congress, Trinamool BNP, Bangladesh Nationalist Movement, and Bangladesh Supreme Party.
Trinamool BNP as an alternative to BNP?
Nazmul Huda, previously a member of the BNP Standing Committee who served as a minister multiple times, left BNP and established the Trinamool BNP, which has now become a real competitor to BNP.
Trinamool BNP introduced its new committee on Sept 19, with BNP leaders Shamsher Mobin Chowdhury and Taimur Alam Khandaker assuming the roles of chairman and secretary-general, causing a big shake in the political arena.
Taimur hinted at more ‘surprises’ on the horizon as a growing number of dissatisfied BNP men started joining the party.
The party provides an alternative platform that promises to promote healthy political practices and provides a sustainable platform for democratic practices.
In a recent interview with Press Xpress, Shamsher Mobin Chowdhury, Chairperson of Trinamool BNP criticized BNP’s adamant stance of not participating in polls.
“If BNP doesn’t join in polls, BNP will lose ground as a political party. To survive, BNP must participate in the electoral process,” he said.
“In a parliamentary democracy, a political party must participate in elections to contribute to the democratic process. It’s a primary duty of a political platform but BNP fails to perform its duty,” he added.
“If BNP doesn’t join in polls, BNP will lose ground as a political party. To survive, BNP must participate in the electoral process.”
Shamsher Mobin Chowdhury, Chairperson of Trinamool BNP
Overview of Trinamool BNP and BNM
A fractions of BNP leaders and activists who are in favor of democracy and elections, are deserting BNP and joining other alternative platforms like Bangladesh Nationalist Movement (BNM) and Trinamool BNP.
These platforms emerge as the alternative forces of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal on November 23 said that a significant number of BNP leaders have shown interest in joining the upcoming national election and some are inclined to run as independents.
Despite the BNP’s apparent stance of non-participation, Asaduzzaman said there was a partition within the party leaders.
“BNP leaders, disregarding the party command, have divided into factions. Some under the name of Trinamool BNP and some under BNM [Bangladesh Nationalist Movement] are signalling their intention to take part in the election,” he said.
