Once a political bastion of Jatiya Party (JaPa), Rangpur; long associated with former President Hussain Muhammad Ershad, has delivered a severe blow to the party in 13th National Parliamentary Election, signaling a dramatic decline in its traditional support base.
A popular saying in northern Bangladesh once went, “He who controls Rangpur controls plough,” referring to JaPa’s electoral symbol and its dominance in the region.
Under Ershad’s leadership, Rangpur and much of the north became an impregnable fortress for the party.
However, recent results suggest that those glory days are fading fast.
As of Thursday night, counting from 75 out of 169 centres showed JaPa securing 17,350 votes, trailing far behind BNP’s 36,298 votes and Jamaat-e-Islami’s 74,710 votes.
Observers say the wide gap underscores a weakened organizational structure and shrinking vote bank for the party.
The downward trend was already visible in the 12th parliamentary election and subsequent local government polls, where JaPa’s performance was underwhelming.
Even in Rangpur-3 (Sadar); a seat Ershad won repeatedly, the party’s candidate reportedly struggled this time. In several constituencies, JaPa nominees lost their deposits. Districts such as Kurigram, Nilphamari and Gaibandha, once considered JaPa strongholds, have seen other political forces consolidate their positions.
Political analysts and grassroots leaders attribute much of the party’s decline to internal divisions following Ershad’s death.
The rivalry between GM Quader and Rowshan Ershad has effectively split the party, weakening its structure from the central leadership down to the grassroots.
There is also criticism that JaPa’s long-standing alliance politics with Awami League blurred its independent political identity. The label of a “domesticated opposition” has damaged its public image, many believe.
Additionally, top leaders’ Dhaka-centric politics and disconnect from local activists have pushed voters toward alternative leadership.
Young voters, in particular, appear less interested in the party. They argue that past development achievements are not enough; what matters now is a clear political strategy and vision for the future; something they feel JaPa has failed to articulate.
While northern constituencies were once nearly inaccessible to other major parties, the current landscape shows BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami strengthening their organizational footing in the region.
Independent candidates have also garnered notable support in several seats.
Rangpur district SUJAN President Khandaker Fakhrul Anam Benju said, “People in Rangpur once supported plough out of emotion. But emotion alone cannot sustain politics. Jatiya Party has failed to stand up for people’s rights and this defeat reflects that reality.”
Analysts suggest that without resolving internal conflicts, rebuilding its organizational base and redefining its political stance, the road ahead for Jatiya Party will be difficult.
To preserve Ershad’s legacy, the party must regain public trust; otherwise, the loss of its once ‘invincible fortress’ could deepen into an existential crisis.
LY/SH
