The Jatiya Party (JaPa), led by its chairman GM Quader, has decided to contest the upcoming national election on its own and is preparing to field candidates in all 300 constituencies.
Party insiders said the central leadership has already instructed local leaders to finalize potential candidates for 33 seats in the Rangpur division, and key leaders from the region have been called to Dhaka to complete the process.
They added that the party is preparing to introduce several “surprise” candidates, including new faces.
A co-chairman and three members of the JaPa presidium confirmed the development on Sunday night.
They said the party is currently reviewing the political situation, election strategy, and organizational expansion, alongside finalizing nominations for all constituencies.
According to party sources, top leaders of Rangpur Metropolitan and District JaPa have been in Dhaka for the last three days.
Meanwhile, on Saturday night, a delegation of JaPa leaders led by GM Quader visited Evercare Hospital to inquire about the health of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia.
JaPa Secretary General Shamim Haider Patwary also met BNP leaders at the hospital. He is reportedly in touch with different BNP and government channels regarding her possible participation in the polls.
Ajmal Hossain, a presidium member and convener of Rangpur district JaPa, said: “We went to see Khaleda Zia under the leadership of our secretary general. There, we spoke with BNP Standing Committee member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy and Chairperson’s Adviser Amanullah Aman. They thanked us for visiting.”
He added that several nominations have already been finalized.
“The Jatiya Party led by GM Quader will contest all 300 seats. Acceptable and popular candidates have been selected for 33 seats in the Rangpur division. GM Quader will contest Rangpur-3, while Shamim Haider Patwary will contest Gaibandha-1,” he said.
Ajmal expressed hope that the Election Commission (EC) would ensure a level playing field but warned that the party was also considering “alternatives” if equal opportunities were not guaranteed.
Rangpur district Member Secretary Abdur Razzak echoed similar views.
“I am in Dhaka now, and we are preparing for the polls. There will be new candidates in two of the six constituencies in Rangpur. A popular barrister from the area has been given the green signal for Rangpur-1,” he said, adding that the party aims to reclaim the 22 seats in the region that once belonged to them.
Rangpur Metropolitan General Secretary and presidium member SM Yasir said the party has already taken the decision to contest independently.
“The party chairman and secretary general have given instructions to finalize candidates for all seats. We will field strong and acceptable candidates even in Gopalganj, Faridpur, and Sylhet. We are ready for the polls, although a level playing field is yet to be ensured,” he said.
He added that there were no restrictions from the EC on JaPa’s participation.
“The Election Commission has confirmed that nothing bars us from contesting. So, even in adverse circumstances, we will participate.”
A presidium member, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the party would unveil several “surprises” before the election schedule is announced.
“Several former government officials will join our party and contest the polls. There are more surprises coming,” he said.
Mostafizur Rahman Mostafa, JaPa co-chairman and former mayor of Rangpur City Corporation, told Bangla Tribune that the party is preparing for the election but expects a conducive environment.
“We will contest if the environment and a level playing field are ensured. Preparations are underway based on that expectation,” he said.
Meanwhile, ahead of the national election, a new political alliance is taking shape under the leadership of Jatiya Party (JaPa) faction chairman Anisul Islam Mahmud and Jatiya Party (JaPa) chairman Anwar Hossain Manju. JaPa Secretary General ABM Ruhul Amin Howlader will serve as the alliance’s spokesperson.
The alliance is likely to be named the Nationalist Democratic Alliance. The decision was made at a meeting held at Howlader Tower in Gulshan on Sunday afternoon, chaired by Anisul Islam Mahmud with Manju as chief guest, according to a joint press release.
