Tough battles ahead for JP 

Jatiya Party, led by Chairman GM Quader, has entered the campaign trail for the upcoming 13th National Parliament elections with candidates in 196 constituencies, with several of its top leaders and heavyweight nominees facing highly competitive multi-cornered contests, even as the party maintains that its electoral prospects hinge on the existence of a fair process and a genuine level playing field.

The party had initially announced candidates for 243 seats on December 26, but the number was reduced following the cancellation of nominations in several constituencies during scrutiny. 

After the Election Commission allocated electoral symbols, Jatiya Party candidates and their supporters began nationwide campaigning, which party insiders described as taking place in a "festive atmosphere," despite prevailing political uncertainty.

According to the final list, GM Quader is contesting from Rangpur-3, where he faces seven rivals, including BNP's Shamsuzzaman Samu, Islami Andolan's Amiruzzaman Piyal, Jamaat-e-Islami's Mahbubur Rahman Belal and several independent candidates. 

Among them is third gender independent candidate Anwara Islam Rani, who had a fierce contest with Quader in the 2024 election and is once again seen as a formidable challenger.

Party Secretary General Shamim Haider Patwari is contesting from two constituencies-Gaibandha-1 and Gaibandha-5. 

In Gaibandha-1, he faces seven candidates, including BNP's Khandaker Ziaul Islam Mohammad Ali and Jamaat's Majedur Rahman. 

In Gaibandha-5, BNP's Faruk Alam Sarkar and Jamaat's Abdul Wares are among eight contenders.

Party sources say Patwari is relatively comfortable in Gaibandha-1 but may face stiff resistance in both seats.

Among other key races, Barrister Manjum Ali is contesting from Rangpur-1, where a close three-way contest is expected between him, BNP's Mukarram Hossain Sujan and Jamaat's Raihan Siraji. 

In Rangpur-2, Jatiya Party's Anisul Islam Mandal is competing against four candidates, with BNP's Mohammad Ali Sarkar and Jamaat's ATM Azharul Islam emerging as his strongest challengers.

Former party secretary general and ex-lawmaker Md. Mashiur Rahman Ranga is contesting from Lalmonirhat-1, facing a crowded field of 10 candidates. 

Party insiders acknowledge that BNP's Md. Hasan Rajib Pradhan could pose a serious challenge to Ranga's bid to reclaim the seat.

In Rangpur-6, Jatiya Party nominee Nur e Alam Jadu faces competition from BNP's Saiful Islam, Jamaat's Nurul Amin and several strong independent candidates. 

In Kurigram-2, Panir Uddin Ahmed is locked in a competitive three-way contest against BNP's Sohel Hossain Kaikobad and NCP-backed Atiqur Rahman Mujahid, though party leaders remain optimistic about his prospects.

In Barisal-3, former two-time MP and Jatiya Party presidium member Golam Kibria Tipu is facing a tough fight against BNP Vice Chairman Advocate Zainul Abedin and AB Party Secretary General Barrister Asaduzzaman Fuad of the Jamaat-led 10-party alliance. Party sources say the stature of his rivals has made the contest particularly challenging.

In Kishoreganj-2, Jatiya Party candidate Mohammad Afzal Hossain Bhuiyan is considered to be in a favourable position, though independent candidate Mohammad Anisuzzaman Khokon is expected to be his main challenger. 

In Manikganj-2 and Manikganj-3, party candidates S M Abdul Mannan and Abdul Basar Badsha are seen to have an advantage due to the absence of heavyweight BNP and Jamaat contenders.

In the capital, Mir Abdus Sabur Asud is contesting from Dhaka-5 against 10 candidates, including BNP and Jamaat nominees. 

In Dhaka-7, presidium member Haji Saifuddin Ahmed Milon is engaged in a high-stakes battle with BNP's Hamidur Rahman and Jamaat's Md. Enayat Ullah. 

In Dhaka-8, Jatiya Party's Md. Zuber Alam Khan Robin is contesting, though the main contest is widely viewed as being between BNP's Mirza Abbas and NCP's Nasiruddin Patwari.

In Narsingdi-1, Jatiya Party candidate Advocate Mostafa Jamal Baby faces an uphill task against BNP Joint Secretary General Khairul Kabir Khokon. 

In Brahmanbaria-2, internal divisions within BNP-caused by rebel candidates-may work in favour of Jatiya Party nominee Advocate Ziaul Haque Mridha. 

In Brahmanbaria-3, presidium member Rezaul Islam Bhuiyan is contesting against BNP leader Engineer Khaled Hossain Mahbub Shyamal and a 10-party alliance candidate.

Commenting on the party's electoral prospects, Secretary General Shamim Haider Patwari said Jatiya Party expects to secure between 40 and 70 seats if the election is conducted in a credible manner. 

"If a fair and competitive election is held, many of our candidates will win," he said, reiterating that a genuine level playing field will be the decisive factor in determining the party's performance.