Clean-image AL leaders may get nomination if they join JaPa: co-chairman

Jatiya Party (JaPa) co-chairman Mostafizur Rahman Mostafa said that individuals from the Awami League, who have a “clean image” and are never accused in the July genocide will be given party nominations in the upcoming national election if they join JaPa.

He made the remarks on Saturday (September 6) after a joint meeting with leaders and activists from eight districts of Rangpur division at the JaPa party office on Central Road in Rangpur city.

In recent days, tensions between JaPa and Gono Odhikar Parishad have sparked mixed reactions in Rangpur. Gono Odhikar Parishad has been demanding a ban on JaPa’s activities, describing it as an ally of fascism. Against this backdrop, Saturday’s meeting was chaired by Mostafa, former mayor of Rangpur City Corporation and JaPa co-chairman.

The Awami League has been banned by the government over its alleged role in the July genocide. The ban will remain in force until trials of the accused are completed, and the party is therefore unlikely to contest the upcoming election.

Mostafa told reporters that many Awami League supporters nationwide have clean records and no cases or allegations of violence. If such people join JaPa, they will be prioritised for party nominations.

He said, “If an Awami League leader has no lawsuits or allegations and we consider them a suitable candidate, why should we not nominate them? Of course we will. To overcome our candidate shortage, we must do this. We will field candidates in all 300 seats. If we find a stronger candidate with a clean image and no sign of violent conduct, we will nominate them. In districts like Faridpur and Gopalganj, where Awami League enjoys overwhelming support, clean-image figures who join JaPa will receive nominations.”

The co-chairman added that, in the interest of democracy, the BNP must play a role in protecting pro-democracy forces that are not involved in mob violence; otherwise BNP risks isolation.

He warned that if JaPa is absent from the election while parties such as Islami Oikya Jote, Jamaat-e-Islami, Islami Andolan, NCP and Gono Odhikar Parishad decide to contest and BNP refuses to run without proportional representation, BNP could be left alone. Moreover, any single-sided poll will be unacceptable nationally and internationally. Obviously, anti-liberation forces are trying to put BNP in danger,” he added.

The meeting, chaired by JaPa presidium member and Rangpur metropolitan committee general secretary SM Yasir, featured speeches from metropolitan committee vice-presidents Lokman Hossain and Zahidul Islam, district committee member-secretary Haji Abdur Razzak, central organising secretary Hasanuzzaman Nazim and other district and upazila branch leaders.

Leaders from Rangpur metropolitan and district units, as well as from Gaibandha, Kurigram, Lalmonirhat, Dinajpur, Nilphamari, Thakurgaon and Panchagarh, attended.

The meeting strongly condemned the attack on JaPa’s central office and demanded legal action against those responsible, warning of mass protests otherwise.