Seat-sharing strains new alliance

A disagreement over seat-sharing has emerged among the newly formed alliance comprising the National Citizen Party, Amar Bangladesh Party and Bangladesh Rastro Songskar Andolan.

Despite months of negotiations, the alliance -- officially launched as "Gonotantrik Songskar Jote" on December 7 -- now faces internal disagreements that leaders said could pose a threat to its cohesion.

The crisis surfaced just five days ahead of the final nomination submission date on December 29.

Contacted, leaders of the parties said that while NCP and AB Party favour seat-sharing between alliance parties and two major political parties, Rastro Songskar Andolon does not agree.

NCP Joint Convener Sarwar Tushar said, "We are discussing seat-sharing deals with two major political parties, BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami."

An AB Party leader, requesting anonymity, said, "If Rastro Songskar Andolon and NCP reach their own agreement, our party is still willing to share seats with any major party."

However, Rastro Songskar Andolon Joint General Secretary Didar Bhuiyan told this correspondent, "NCP informed us about this on Monday night. We're not willing to share seats with either BNP or Jamaat.

"NCP is a major party in this alliance. If NCP reaches an agreement with another alliance, this coalition will automatically dissolve. The fate of the alliance will be decided tonight [last night], with a formal announcement to follow later."

Meanwhile, sources in the NCP said the party has asked for at least 20 seats from BNP and Jamaat each. While BNP is not willing to give up more than six to seven seats, Jamaat is ready to offer around 30.

However, party sources added that NCP is more interested in an alliance with BNP.

Among the 20 seats NCP sought from BNP are Dhaka-9, Dhaka-10 and Dhaka-11 under a seat-sharing agreement. Negotiations are ongoing as BNP has already announced nominees for these seats.

Sarwar Tushar said, "Overall, discussions are ongoing. I hope we can reach a final decision soon."

Following the formation of the alliance, NCP on December 10 announced its nominees for 125 constituencies.