Addressing concerns over a level playing field in the national election, Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader on Tuesday said that the Jatiya Party is facing obstacles in various ways.
"There are continuous efforts to sideline us from politics. We are not getting a level playing field. We are facing obstacles in various ways," he said while addressing a press conference at the banquet hall of the Grand Palace Hotel in Dhaka.
In the press conference, the Jatiya Party (JP) has announced its final candidates for 196 constituencies, with two more candidates still pending. As a result, the party is likely to contest in a total of 198 constituencies.
The party's Secretary General, Shamim Haider Patwary, formally unveiled the list of candidates.
Party's senior leaders, and leaders and activists from various levels also attended the event.
Speaking at the event, party leaders stated that, considering the country's current political realities, the Jatiya Party has undertaken a responsible and people-oriented electoral preparation. They expressed optimism that the nominated candidates would play an effective role in meeting public expectations.
GM Quader said that the party has received 196 valid candidates so far, including six women candidates. He added that an additional two to three candidates may be included in the valid list at a later stage.
He further noted that several candidates are contesting the election while remaining in jail. Alleging harassment under the pretext of legal cases, GM Quader accused the interim government of subjecting ordinary citizens to repression and intimidation.
He claimed that a large-scale "business" has developed around filing cases, involving police and other parties. According to him, cases are being filed arbitrarily, driven by political motives, business interests, or even personal vendettas.
