Jatiya Party (Japa) Secretary General Barrister Shameem Haider Patwary on Sunday said his party is confident of performing strongly in 40 to 70 seats if the upcoming national election is held in a fair environment with a level playing field.

“The voting field is very fluid. If there is a fair vote and a level playing field, I think the Jatiya Party will do very well in 40 to 70 seats," he said, while talking to reporters at Nirbachan Bhaban in the city as he went there to attend hearings on appeals filed by Japa candidates.

The Jatiya Party leader said this time there will be two sharp parties in the voting field.

Describing Jatiya Party as a pro–Liberation War force, he said despite its pro-liberation stance, the party had also declared Islam as the state religion during the tenure of former president Hussain Muhammad Ershad and introduced Friday as the weekly holiday.  “So, the Jatiya Party can get votes from the Islamists as well,” he said.

Patwary expressed concern over the large number of nomination papers rejected on silly grounds, saying many candidates were deprived due to minor mistakes. The returning officers cancelled so many nomination papers fearing mobocracy and the politics of tagging.

“I believe they were afraid of mob pressure. The mob culture has dominated returning officers. They could have corrected mistakes and allowed nominations, but fear of being immediately labelled or branded prevented them from doing so,” he said.

He welcomed the role of the Appellate Tribunal (the Election Commission), saying it had reviewed nomination appeals with an open mind and restored many candidacies, which he described as a positive sign.

Patwary urged the administration to act firmly and enforce the rule of law without fear or favour.

“No one is above the law. Whether big or small, everyone must remain under the law. Mobs must also be brought under legal control,” he said, strongly condemning mob influence.

He further alleged that law enforcement agencies appeared hesitant and slow to respond whenever incidents occurred, reflecting a lack of confidence.

“Those who will form the future government should also understand that if a government is formed after a substandard election, they will lack the mandate. They will struggle to run the country. That is, a political compromise is needed here now," he said.

Responding to a question about internal divisions within Jatiya Party, Patwary admitted that the party has faced splits over time but said none of the breakaway factions have grown significantly.

“The main body of Jatiya Party remains under GM Quader. The party symbol plough remains with him, and that faction is strong. Even in extremely adverse and intimidating circumstances, we have fielded 244 candidates,” he said.

The Japa secretary general reiterated his demand for a level playing field, alleging that the current administration appears aligned with BNP-Jamaat interests.

Patwary also expressed concern about the period after January 22, once the deadline for withdrawal of candidacies passes.

“There is a risk of unwarranted attacks and threats against Jatiya Party candidates and voters. That is why state control and a level playing field must be ensured before that time,” he added.