BNP's allies are frustrated after the party unveiled its nominees before finalising seat-sharing deals, leaving partners in the dark.

The party offered far fewer seats than requested by allies and even fielded its own candidates there, sparking resentment, according to over a dozen alliance leaders who spoke to The Daily Star.

More than three dozen parties under the 12-party alliance, Jatiyatabadi Samamona Jote, and Ganatantra Mancha had joined the BNP-led simultaneous movement against the Sheikh Hasina regime.

The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Gono Forum, Bangladesh Jatiya Party (BJP), Bangladesh Labour Party, and other like-minded parties were part of the simultaneous movement.

Saiful Haque, general secretary of the Biplobi Workers Party, said, "BNP had promised to hold discussions on seat-sharing before announcing its candidates, but it didn't. This has angered its partners."

His party is part of the six-member Ganatantra Mancha, which joined BNP in the movement.

He said the Mancha nominated him for Dhaka-8, but BNP picked Mirza Abbas for the same seat. "Except for three or four seats for Ganatantra Mancha, they have nominated their own candidates in almost all others."

On October 9, the Mancha announced its nominees for over 120 seats.

Earlier last month, BNP had asked its partners to submit their candidate lists. Together, the allies and like-minded parties sought at least 222 seats for their leaders.

The LDP, led by former BNP leader Oli Ahmed, wanted 40 seats; the 12-party alliance, 21; Gono Forum, 15; Jatiyatabadi Samamona Jote, nine; BJP, five; Bangladesh Labour Party, six; and National Democratic Movement, 10.

BNP on Monday announced a list of potential candidates for 237 constituencies. Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said the list could see changes after further discussions with allied parties.

Party sources said BNP plans to share no more than 40 seats. So far, only 13 seats have been kept for partners.

LDP was offered two seats. Its Secretary General Redwan Ahmed said, "We had five seats in 2018, but our organisation has grown since then and so, we need more this time."

Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Secretary General Maulana Manzurul Islam Afendi said BNP nominated candidates in eight of the seats they had demanded, leaving only five or six open. "We're not willing to settle for so few."

Jatiya Ganatantrik Party President Khondkar Lutfar Rahman said, "I wanted to contest from Bogura-2, but BNP nominated its own candidate there. Honestly, it's disappointing."

Several alliance leaders said they would soon hold talks with senior BNP leader to seek a greater share of seats.

Bangladesh Liberal Democratic Party Chairman Shahadat Hossain Selim, also spokesperson for the 12-party alliance, said BNP had already nominated its own aspirants in some seats sought by allies. "There's anger and sadness … We're discussing it internally. Talks will be held soon."

Fariduzzaman Farhad, coordinator of the Jatiyatabadi Samamona Jote, said they wanted nine seats but BNP kept only two. "We'll press for a few more."

Bangladesh Labour Party Chairman Mostafizur Rahman Iran said they demanded six seats and got one. "We'll ask that Faridpur-1 be kept for us, where our secretary general plans to contest."

13 SEATS

According to BNP sources, 13 seats have been initially reserved for the allies.

These include Brahmanbaria-6 for Zonayed Saki, Dhaka-17 for BJP Chairman Andaleeve Rahman, Patuakhali-3 for Gono Odhikar Parishad's Nurul Haque Nur, Jhenaidah-2 for Rashed Khan, and Kishoreganj-5 for Bangladesh National Party's Ehsanul Huda, among others.

A member of the BNP standing committee, seeking anonymity, said recent amendments to the Representation of the People Order have complicated seat-sharing since allies can no longer contest under BNP's "sheaf of paddy" symbol.

"We now have to handle seat distribution carefully. Without the common symbol, many allies may struggle to win due to weak grassroots networks and limited voter bases."

BNP leaders said a few allies had strong political bases and past electoral success, but most smaller parties had little organisational strength.

Meanwhile, BNP is considering leaving 10 seats for the National Citizen Party. The party has not nominated candidates from two constituencies – Dhaka-18 and Dhaka-9 -- where NCP leaders Nasiruddin Patwary and Tasnim Jara plan to contest.