What Abdul Kader says about 'sharing of 20 seats'
Abdul Kader, a former leader of the Bangladesh Ganatantrik Chhatra Sangsad, has accused a political leader of hypocrisy in his dealings with the BNP over seat-sharing negotiations for the upcoming national election.
In a Facebook post this morning (11 November), Kader claimed that a so-called "uncompromising" leader and his "imam sahib" held three meetings with BNP leader Salahuddin Ahmed at his residence in the past 15 days to negotiate the sharing of 20 seats.
He alleged that while the leader in question loudly criticises the BNP in the media during the day, he and his "imam sahib" secretly visit BNP leaders' homes at night to strike political deals.
According to Kader, the leader has also visited Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir's residence once.
Kader described the leader's public rhetoric as part of a "negotiation tactic" aimed at seat-sharing, accusing him of making contradictory statements to gain leverage.
"While basking in self-satisfaction, he even brags about it! Yet, look at what the situation was supposed to be after the mass uprising – the old political parties were meant to come closer to the youth, with the youth taking the driver's seat," said Kader, who was a key leader of the 2024 July Uprising.
"But now, the imams themselves are sitting and bargaining for twenty seats! They hurl insults in the media as a seat-sharing strategy, then go sit humbly at leaders' homes – and still fail to secure the seats!" Kader wrote, mocking the conduct with a sarcastic "Ha ha ha."
Kader further criticised the party's internal leadership, claiming it has become "the personal property of a handful of people" who engage in blackmail, exclusionary politics, and "quorum games."
He alleged that these leaders would have no qualms about "selling themselves" if their own constituencies and desired seats were secured.
The post reads, "They call each other 'friends' – blackmailing on one side and sidelining on the other. The party has become the personal property of a handful of people. Their attitude is such that if they can secure their own desired seats, even the so-called uncompromising leaders wouldn't hesitate to sell themselves. But if anyone who's been victimised by their exclusionary politics or clique-based control dares to make an independent political decision, they're accused of 'selling red-tinted dreams'. I won't even mention the list of the 20 people for whom seats have been demanded."
Kader concluded by suggesting that once party members recognise the extent of this monopolisation and internal manipulation, "they too will finally wake up."