Most JaPa candidates opt for leaving poll race
Special Correspondent :
The opposition party in parliament Jatiya Party (JaPa) had submitted 287 nomination papers in the 12th forthcoming national polls to be held on January 7.
A total of 257 candidates were in the polling race after withdrawal of nomination papers on the last date of December 17.
Amid JaPa leaders and activists opposition, top leaders of JaPa finally agreed contest 26 seats out of 257 constituencies after reaching a seat sharing agreement with ruling party Awami League (AL).
Meanwhile, nine JaPa candidates have already withdrawn their candidature apprehending that the forthcoming 12th national election will not be held in a free and fair manner.
The JaPa candidates those who withdrew candidatures are-Niaz Uddin from Gazipur-1 and Gazipur-5 constituencies, Iqbal Hossain Tapas from Barisal-2 and Barisal-5 constituencies, Khalilur Rahman from Barguna-1 constituency, Sohrab Hossain from Chuadanga-1 constituency, Sirajganj-3 (Raiganj-Tarash) Zakir Hossain, freedom fighter Shamsuddin Khan Gazipur-4 and Alauddin Mridha Natore-4 constituencies.
According to multiple sources, only 8-10 JaPa candidates are in the race across the country out of 26 seats that shared with Awami League. Leaders and activists of JaPa have expressed their dissatisfaction over the seat sharing with Awami League and many of them termed their leaders as ‘betrayer’ too.
JaPa leaders said they will be in the election until the last hours but anything may happen anytime.
As the election hours are very fluid, the nation will have to wait till the last moment of election.
Chairman of JaPa GM Quader on Monday commented that time will say whether the Jatiya Party will in the 12th National election’s race or not.
However, Jatiya Party candidates are not much discussed in most places. Just a week before the polls, Jatiya Party candidates withdrew from the election in five constituencies in one day. Among them, two candidates were contesting two seats each.
When asked about the matter, GM Quader said that many candidates may not stay till the end of the election, some make formal announcements and some do not. Some of them have already left the race and he instructed the party candidates those who want to contest the 12th parliamentary election can do so.
“If you don’t want to contest, you have the freedom to decide that too,” he said while talking to reporters in court areas in Rangpur.
When asked about the reason for the withdrawal of candidature, GM Quader said, the withdrawal of candidature may be due to threats or it may also be due to lack of money.
Presidium member of JaPa Shafiqul Islam Sentu was the candidate of Dhaka-13 constituency, but he withdrew the nomination in the last moment.
