Tensions within the opposition alliance have deepened as several partner parties expressed sharp dissatisfaction with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) over the issue of seat-sharing ahead of the upcoming national election. Against this backdrop, leaders of 29 political parties convened an urgent meeting on Monday (10 December) at the Nagarik Oikya headquarters in Paltan, Dhaka, where frustration over the BNP’s unilateral decisions dominated the discussions.
The meeting brought together senior leaders from the five-party coalition Ganatantra Mancha, the Twelve-Party Alliance, the Gana Adhikar Parishad, the Jatiyatabadi Samomona Alliance, Nezame Islami Party and the Gonoforum—all of whom had been part of the joint anti-government movement in recent months.
Among the prominent figures attending the meeting were:
Mahmudur Rahman Manna, Saiful Haque, Zonayed Saki, Mustafa Jamal Haider, Advocate Ehsanul Huda, Nurul Haque Nur, Fariduzzaman Farhad, Advocate Subrata Chowdhury and Ashraful Islam—representing a diverse but increasingly disillusioned opposition bloc.
In a strongly worded statement, Saiful Haque, General Secretary of the Revolutionary Workers’ Party and a key leader of the Ganatantra Mancha, told the press that the BNP’s approach amounted to “sinking the boat at the shore.” He criticised the BNP’s two-phase announcement of candidates as “disrespectful and politically short-sighted,” noting that trusted allies had been left “idle and marginalised.”
He added, “While Jamaat-e-Islami is expanding its circle of allies, the BNP appears to be trimming its own. This is politically suicidal. It has created serious mistrust, frustration and a widening emotional distance which none of us desire.”
Nagarik Oikya President Mahmudur Rahman Manna echoed similar concerns, saying:
“Election schedules have been announced, yet the BNP has not sat with us even once. They have already nominated candidates in 272 constituencies. Where does that leave us? They promised joint participation in the election and in government—none of which we see reflected in their actions.”
At least seven participating party leaders said that while they remain committed to the broader opposition alliance, they expect the BNP to uphold principles of fairness, dignity and political respect. They also criticised the BNP for not holding discussions with coalition partners even though many had submitted candidate lists upon the BNP’s request.
BNP’s Seat Announcements at a Glance
| Announcement Phase | Number of Seats | Date |
|---|---|---|
| First Phase | 237 | 3 November |
| Second Phase | 36 | 4 December |
| Total Announced | 272 | — |
| Remaining Seats | 28 | Promised largely for alliance partners |
Some allied groups involved in the anti-fascism joint movement claim that at least six unregistered partner organisations had expected nominations under the BNP’s election symbol. Instead, the BNP pushed forward its own candidates without consultation, leaving many leaders “shocked and displeased.”
Despite the simmering tensions, BNP insiders insist that the party remains committed to maintaining unity within the alliance. One senior BNP source stated that the party intends to “appropriately accommodate allies” and is preparing to engage in dialogue soon to prevent further strain.