Highlights
- Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader claims Awami League members are facing the highest level of repression
- Says Jatiya Party always stands with oppressed people, regardless of party identity
- Denies any formal alliance talks with BNP but leaves room for seat-based understanding
- Alleges unfair election environment, arrests, and administrative harassment of Jatiya Party candidates
- Expresses concern over Election Commission’s role and lack of a level playing field
Jatiya Party Chairman Golam Mohammad (GM) Quader has said that members of the Awami League, whose political activities are currently banned, are facing the highest level of repression in the country. He made the remarks while speaking to journalists on Sunday night (28 December) at his Skyview residence in Rangpur city.
GM Quader said Jatiya Party has always stood by oppressed people and will continue to do so. He said,
“জাতীয় পার্টি সব সময় নির্যাতিতদের পক্ষে থাকে।”
Translation: “The Jatiya Party always stands with the oppressed.”
He added that supporting oppressed individuals does not mean committing a political crime. He said,
“আওয়ামী লীগের সদস্যরাও তো মানুষ… তারাও তো দেশের ভোটার।”
Translation: “Awami League members are also human beings… they are voters of this country as well.”
GM Quader pointed out that both BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami are openly seeking votes from Awami League supporters, while Jatiya Party has not made any such public statement. However, he said there is a perception that a large section of Awami League voters may support the ‘Plough’ symbol of Jatiya Party. He expressed,
“তাদের ভোট পাওয়া কি জাতীয় পার্টির অপরাধ হবে?”
Translation: “Would it be a crime for the Jatiya Party to receive their votes?”
He emphasized that Awami League supporters are citizens of the country and have not been expelled.
No Formal Alliance With BNP, Possible Understanding
Speaking about a possible electoral alliance with BNP, GM Quader said that both BNP and Jatiya Party candidates have already collected nomination papers, which limits the scope for forming an official alliance.
However, he did not rule out informal seat-based understanding.
He said such cooperation could work where one party has a weaker candidate and the other has a stronger chance of winning.
Read More: Mahfuz Alam Says He Will Not Join NCP–Jamaat Alliance
Poor Election Environment and Allegations of Harassment
GM Quader expressed deep concern over the overall election environment, saying the chances of a fair election are extremely low. He expressed,
“এখন পর্যন্ত ভালো নির্বাচন হওয়ার কোনো সম্ভাবনা দেখছি না।”
Translation: “So far, I see no possibility of a fair election.”
He alleged that Jatiya Party candidates are being deliberately harassed. According to him, three sitting MPs contesting the election are currently in jail and are being repeatedly arrested even after securing bail.
Role in July Movement and Legal Concerns
Referring to the July uprising, GM Quader said Jatiya Party was the only political party that actively participated from the first to the last day and officially supported the movement through party resolutions. He said,
“জাতীয় পার্টি একমাত্র রাজনৈতিক দল, যারা জুলাইয়ের প্রথম দিন থেকে শেষ দিন পর্যন্ত সক্রিয়ভাবে অংশগ্রহণ করেছে।”
Translation: “The Jatiya Party is the only political party that actively participated from the first day to the last day of the July movement.”
He claimed Jatiya Party candidates are being jailed in murder cases related to July and are being denied bail deliberately to keep them out of the election.
He also alleged that administration officials and rival candidates are threatening Jatiya Party nominees with arrests under July-related cases.
Concerns Over Election Commission
GM Quader said attempts to contact the Election Commission have failed, while other parties reportedly receive frequent meetings.
He further warned that the complicated nomination paper process could be used to disqualify new candidates unfairly.
Despite the challenges, he said the party is taking the election as a challenge and will continue to inform the public about the alleged injustices.
Senior party leaders including Co-Chairman Mostafizur Rahman Mostafa, Presidium Member SM Yasir, Vice Chairman Abdur Razzaq, and Rangpur district convener Azmal Hossain Lebu were present at the briefing.
Source: Banik Barta
