JaPa faces election test amid crisis, uncertainty

The Jatiya Party (JaPa) is contesting the 13th National Parliamentary Election amid widespread unrest following the 2024 student-led uprising that toppled the Awami League government.

Despite 17 months of internal divisions and protests calling for its ban, the party is now contesting the parliamentary polls.

However, the party candidates claim they are facing pressure, including hurdles to their campaigning.

The party, which served three terms as the opposition to the Hasina-led Awami League government, began facing challenges after the fall of the regime often labelled “fascist” and accused by rival parties of being a “fascist collaborator”.

Following the fall of the AL government, JaPa leaders attended a meeting with the chief of army staff and the president at Bangabhaban. They were also invited to the first dialogue of the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government but were later excluded after demands from the Students Against Discrimination.

Later, political parties such as Jamaat-e-Islami, the National Citizen Party (NCP), and Gono Odhikar Parishad (GOP) called for a ban on JaPa.

The GOP also clashed physically with JaPa activists during protests demanding the party’s ban, while JaPa offices across the country were repeatedly vandalised and set on fire.

After the 5 August 2024 uprising, GM Quader’s close associates in the party were sidelined, deepening internal instability. Both the party chairman and rebel leaders struggled to assert control, fuelling further unrest.

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Later in August last year, a conference was held by Anisul Islam Mahmud, Mujibul Haque Chunnu, and ABM Ruhul Amin Howlader -- formerly allied with GM Quader -- alongside Kazi Firoz Rashid and Syed Abu Hossain Babla, who were aligned with Roushan.

They declared the gathering as the 10th National Conference, notably held without GM Quader and his followers.

At the conference, Anisul Islam Mahmud was elected party chairman and ABM Ruhul Amin Howlader as general secretary. Both had previously been expelled by GM Quader along with eight other leaders.

In July, the court later imposed a temporary injunction on GM Quader and Joint Office Secretary Mahmud Alam.

The Jatiya Party (JaPa) is contesting the upcoming parliamentary polls amid internal turmoil, fielding 195 relatively low-profile candidates.

Meanwhile, incidents of attacks on homes, office vandalism and arson, and obstacles to campaigning have been reported.

Jatiya Party candidate for Dhaka-6, Amir Uddin Ahmed, claimed they are facing obstacles in their campaigning.

He alleged a lack of a level playing field, saying, “Two parties are contesting while we are merely spectators. In the name of the election, our hands have been tied, leaving us stranded on the riverbank.”

In some cases, the Jatiya Party has extended support to BNP-nominated candidates.

For example, the Jhalakathi district JaPa backed the BNP candidate in Jhalokathi-2, while the Chandpur district JaPa supported the BNP nominee in Chandpur-3.

Regarding the election, JaPa Chairman GM Quader claimed that their candidates and leaders are also facing security concerns.

“Three of our candidates are contesting the election from jail, while two others withdrew due to security concerns,” he said.

Citing examples of attacks, he said, “In the Nilphamari-4 constituency, our candidate’s offices were targeted by rivals, and there were incidents of physical assault. Our members are frequently harassed and disturbed, and our candidates are not being given a level playing field.”

Regarding the label of “fascist collaborators”, he said, “We openly supported the movement from 1 July to 5 August.”

“From the beginning, I have said this is not just a movement for quota reform; it is a fight against inequality, involving both students and the general public. We have been wrongly labelled.”

Asked about election prospects, the party chairman said, “Winning seats isn’t the goal. We aimed to highlight the unfair attempts to exclude us and to energise our grassroots leaders.”

On the current political scenario, GM Quader said, “Politics is now on the side of the people -- the oppressed and victims of injustice. Our supporters have grown stronger, and the Jatiya Party will rise again.”