Though many senior BNP leaders remain unhappy with the July charter implementation order, the party is shifting its focus and speeding up election-related work, as several major tasks remain incomplete.

With the polls just two months away and the schedule expected next month, BNP has little time to finalise seat-sharing with allies, select the candidates for remaining seats, contain nomination-related protests, and drop weak contenders.

The leadership acknowledges that if these tasks are not completed in time, they will face pressure.

"The July charter is not acceptable to everyone, but the election is coming fast. We must finalise our candidates, coordinate with allies, and prepare for the campaign. Time is moving very quickly," a standing committee member, preferring anonymity, said.

SEAT-SHARING: THE BIGGEST CONCERN

BNP wants to settle its seat-sharing deal within this month before the schedule is announced, as allies have grown increasingly frustrated after the party unveiled its nominee list without resolving the issue.

Alliance leaders said nearly two weeks have passed without BNP giving them any date for formal discussions. Several leaders said they spoke to BNP individually but received no positive outcome.

Saiful Haque, general secretary of the Biplobi Workers Party, said, "This delay is very unwanted, and it is a big worry for our party and the other parties of Ganatantra Mancha."

The Biplobi Workers Party is one of the six parties in the Ganatantra Mancha, which joined BNP's movement against the previous regime.

He said BNP must wrap up seat-sharing quickly, as the delay is harming other parties as well. "We told BNP to finalise the seat-sharing matters as soon as possible. After discussions, every party needs time to plan on its own. If the delay continues, it will become dangerous."

Fariduzzaman Farhad, coordinator of the Jatiyatabadi Samamona Jote, said, "We didn't get any date from BNP [for discussions]. The election will be in February, so for us, a 10-day delay feels like a 10-month delay."

Shahadat Hossain Selim, spokesperson for the 12-party alliance, said, "We're eagerly waiting [for discussion with BNP]. Each passing day is making it more difficult for us."

Last month, the allies and like-minded parties collectively sought around 222 seats from BNP. But the recent amendments to the Representation of the People Order, 1972, requiring alliance candidates to use their own symbols, have become a major concern for BNP, which fears many partners will have far lower chances of winning without its sheaf of paddy symbol.

BNP Standing Committee member Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku said the party is already working on seat-sharing and expects to complete it very soon.

MANY SEATS STILL UNSETTLED

BNP has shortlisted candidates in 237 constituencies, but 63 seats remain undecided. These include seats demanded by partners, constituencies where BNP's local units are divided, and those where surveys show weak support.

The party is now reviewing seats where weak or controversial candidates were initially shortlisted.

In this regard, Tuku said the party will also make a decision on the vacant constituencies, and announce it.

MANIFESTO INCOMPLETE

BNP's manifesto committee has prepared draft proposals on employment, economic recovery, education, healthcare, agriculture, foreign policy, and governance. However, these drafts have not yet been merged into a final document.

A standing committee member said, "The manifesto will be very important especially for young voters. But several parts still need editing."

PROTESTS AGAINST NOMINATIONS

Protests have erupted in over two dozen districts over BNP's nominee list, with many grassroots activists alleging that weak candidates were favoured over popular leaders.

Road blocks, human chains, rallies, and slogans against central leaders have been reported in 33 districts where BNP has announced candidates.

Party sources said BNP has engaged independent organisations to assess grassroots acceptance of its nominees.

CAMPAIGN STRATEGY BEING PREPARED

Once the polls schedule is announced, BNP will have only around two months for full campaigning. To ease the pressure, the party has already begun preparing its campaign strategy.

The plan includes sending top leaders to key constituencies, preparing area-based schedules, coordinating speeches and messages, and creating social media content in advance.

The party is also working on how Tarique Rahman's return could energise its campaign.

A BNP media team member said, "Online campaigning is now a major part of elections. Videos, graphics, and messages must be ready before the schedule so we can move quickly when the campaign starts."

Senior leaders admit that the party's presence on the ground remains weak in several districts, as many local units have not yet started full-scale activities, which could affect voter engagement.

To fix this, they have asked district leaders to hold gatherings, introduce candidates early, and increase communication with voters.

BNP is also closely monitoring government activities ahead of the election, including administrative transfers, actions of local officials, and the Election Commission's preparations.