The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has convened a meeting with its political allies to ease tensions over seat-sharing ahead of the upcoming national election. The meeting, scheduled for Saturday at the party chairperson’s office in Gulshan, will include top leaders from at least five allied coalitions, including Ganatantra Mancha, the 12-Party Alliance, Gana Odhikar Parishad, and Jatiyatabadi Samomona Jote.

The move follows growing frustration among allies after BNP announced candidates for 272 constituencies without prior consultation. Several alliance leaders, including Saiful Haque and Mahmudur Rahman Manna, publicly criticized the BNP for sidelining long-time partners. They demanded a fair resolution to avoid perceptions of internal discord and to maintain unity within the anti-government coalition.

BNP insiders indicated that the party seeks to preserve its alliances and will allocate the remaining 28 seats primarily to partner parties. Political observers note that the outcome of Saturday’s meeting will be crucial in determining whether the opposition can present a united front in the election.