In the latest updates in the political situation, the BNP and its alliance suffered massive cracks as many of its partners and leaders have left the BNP and its alliance in last few days.
Leaving the BNP and its alliance, several political parties and a large number of BNP leaders have formed at least two new political fronts for joining the 12th Jatiya Sangsad (JS) election scheduled to be held on January 7, 2024.
According to sources, many more political parties and leaders from the BNP and its like-minded parties are also going to participate in the election leaving the BNP led platform.
In the circumstances, the upcoming election is going to be more participatory with over 50 political parties willing to join polls though BNP and some other parties are still unwilling to take part in it.
In the latest development, the Jukto Front, a newly formed political alliance of BNP's ally Bangladesh Kalyan Party, Muslim League and Bangladesh Jatiya Party (Jafar), have decided to participate in the upcoming 12th JS polls.
Once an active ally of BNP-led alliance Bangladesh Kalyan Party will lead the Jukto Front that is expected to field 100 candidates in the national polls, said Kalyan Party chairman Major General (retd) Syed Muhammad Ibrahim, Bir Protik at a press conference at the Jatiya Press Club here on Wednesday.
"Over 100 candidates will participate in the upcoming general election under the Jukto Front banner. The alliance will take part in next election under the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina," he added.
Chairman of Muslim League Advocate Sheikh Julfiker Bulbul Chowdhury and Bangladesh Jatiya Party secretary general Jafar Ahmed Joy were present at the press conference.
Bangladesh Jatiya Praty's executive chairman ANM Sherajul Islam, front leaders Tofazzal Hossain, Anwarul Islam, among others, were also attended the press conference.
Replaying to a question, Syed Ibrahim said the alliance decided to participate in the upcoming general election to work for the development of the country as well as for the welfare of the people.
Country's political situation has been changed after grand rally of BNP on October 28 and now there is no alternative to election in this moment, he added.
He hoped the Election Commission would hold in the upcoming general election in a free, fair and neutral manner.
General Ibrahim urged the Election Commission to hold discussion with all political parts ahead of the election.
The incumbent government under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina made a huge development every sector in the country, he added.
Earlier, the Trinamool BNP, which has been formed after some BNP leaders left the party, also has decided to participate in the JS polls in an alliance with Progressive Islamist Front. The Progressive Islamist Front also comprises with 15 political parties.
Besides, the Bangladesh Nationalist Movement (BNM), which was also formed comprising the former BNP leaders, including four former BNP lawmakers, announced that the party will participate in the next JS polls through giving nomination to 300 candidates in all the 300 seats across the country.
Dr Mohammad Shahjahan, secretary general of the party, at a press conference in the afternoon at Jatiya Press Club on November 20 said they would not fight the polls alone.
The Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh, which is also going to take part in the JS polls, was also formed earlier comprising former BNP leaders, including former President of Bangladesh AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury.
Alongside the ruling Awami League and main opposition in the parliament Jatiya Party, most of the political parties have already decided to take part in the country’s general election.
Other political parties in the country, which are also taking part in the JS polls, include Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD), Workers Party of Bangladesh, Jatiya Party (Manju), Trinamool BNP, Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh, Ganotantri Party, Samyabadi Dal, Tarikat Federation, Bangladesh Nationalist Movement, Gano Forum, National Awami Party (NAP), Krishok-Shramik-Janata League and Bangladesh Nationalist Front (BNF), Islamic Ganotantrik Party, Nejame Islam, Bangladesh Gano Azadi League, Bangladesh Tarikat Front, Bangladesh Democratic Party, Bangladesh National Democratic League, Bangladesh Janamat Party, Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Janata Dal, Islami Liberal Party, Janatar Kotha Bole, Bangladesh Swadhin Party, Bangladesh Ganotantra Manobik Party, Sadharan Oikya Andolan, Bangladesh Islamic Ganotantrik League and Bangladesh Islamic Democratic Forum.
They already have started their electoral process. Many of the parties already have completed the sale of nomination forms to their own aspirants while others are still continuing the process.
After all, the country is passing through an electoral atmosphere amid enthusiasm and festivity.
As per the polls schedule, the 12th JS polls will be held on January 7, political parties will be able to submit nominations for candidates till November 30, the EC will scrutinise the nomination forms from December 1-4, appeals against the nominations can be submitted from December 5-6 and nominations need to be withdrawn by December 17.
Electoral symbols will be distributed among the political parties within December 18 and election campaign will officially kick off on the same day. The campaign duration will end at 8am on January 5.
