Dhaka: Jatiya Party (Japa) Secretary General Barrister Shameem Haider Patwary expressed confidence that his party is poised to perform strongly in 40 to 70 seats in the upcoming national election, provided it is conducted fairly with a level playing field. Speaking to reporters at Nirbachan Bhaban, Patwary highlighted the fluid nature of the voting landscape and emphasized the potential for Japa to excel under fair conditions.
According to United News of Bangladesh, Patwary noted that the election would see the emergence of two distinct political parties. He described Japa as a pro-Liberation War force, yet acknowledged its previous declaration of Islam as the state religion and the introduction of Friday as the weekly holiday during former president Hussain Muhammad Ershad’s tenure. These actions, he claimed, could garner support from Islamist voters as well.
Patwary expressed concerns over the rejection of numerous nomination papers on minor grounds, attributing it to fears of mobocracy and political branding. He criticized the returning officers for cancelling nominations due to perceived mob pressures and called for corrections to be made to allow fair participation.
Welcoming the Election Commission’s Appellate Tribunal’s open-minded review of nomination appeals, Patwary viewed the restoration of candidacies as a positive development. He urged the administration to enforce the rule of law impartially, stressing that no one should be above legal authority, and condemned the influence of mob culture on the electoral process.
He also criticized the hesitancy of law enforcement agencies in responding to incidents, suggesting a lack of confidence and highlighting the potential challenges for any government formed after a flawed election. Patwary underscored the need for political compromise to ensure a legitimate mandate.
Addressing internal divisions within Jatiya Party, Patwary acknowledged past splits but asserted that the main faction, led by GM Quader, remains strong with the party symbol, the plough, intact. Despite adverse conditions, Japa has fielded 244 candidates, demonstrating its resilience.
Reiterating the demand for a level playing field, Patwary alleged alignment between the current administration and BNP-Jamaat interests. He expressed concern over potential threats to Japa candidates and voters following the deadline for withdrawal of candidacies on January 22, calling for state control to ensure fair conditions before this period.