Awami League, whose activities remain banned, is exploring back channels to return to electoral politics–either through formation of a “refined” version of the party or by fielding its clean-image loyalists under the banner of Jatiya Party (JaPa).

Multiple sources confirm that efforts are underway to reorganise the party around “clean-image” loyalists who were not directly involved in the violence and killings during the July 2024 uprising that led to the fall of Sheikh Hasina.

Saber Hossain Chowdhury, who is well-connected among foreign diplomats, is leading the process. He is a former environment minister and political secretary to deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina, the sources further said.

If this attempt fails, Awami League plans to nominate its loyal candidates under the banner of Jatiya Party to contest the election.

Having this alternative in mind, lists are being prepared of individuals who are not directly involved in politics but are known to be genuine Awami League supporters with good public reputations. The party has already reached out to some of them. Two such persons have confirmed of being approached to TIMES of Bangladesh.

Meanwhile, the International Crimes Tribunal has begun proceedings to try the Awami League as a political party. On condition of anonymity, a tribunal prosecutor said the tribunal possesses sufficient evidence of terrorism and mass killings to justify banning the party.

If the court orders the ban, relying on JaPa will become the only option for the Awami League.

Talking to TIMES on Tuesday night, Chief Prosecutor Tajul Islam, “A formal investigation against the Awami League has begun. Investigators will complete their work soon. Based on their report, appropriate steps will be taken to prosecute the party as an organisation.”

Political analysts believe that diplomats from India and several Western countries are quietly working to ensure a “participatory” election. Finding a pathway for the Awami League to be in the electoral race is a part of it.

Professor Dilara Chowdhury, former head of the Department of Government and Politics at Jahangirnagar University, said, “The fascist Awami League will try in various ways to return to elections, particularly by leveraging India. India will want the Awami League back for its own strategic interests. Since bringing them back through a normal process seems unlikely, India may try to facilitate their return through JaPa.”

Echoing her, another political analyst Professor Abdul Latif Masum, added, “In the name of human rights and inclusive democracy, some Western diplomats alongside India may advocate the Awami League’s participation. For them, ‘credible’ elections mean the Awami League’s inclusion.”

Sources confirmed that on Monday, the ambassadors of Norway, Sweden, and Denmark held a two-hour closed-door meeting with Saber Hossain Chowdhury at his Gulshan residence in Dhaka. While neither side made the meeting public, diplomatic circles suggest discussions centered on whether and how the Awami League or its candidates could re-enter politics and the electoral process.

A similar initiative involving Chowdhury had surfaced a few months after the Awami League government’s fall but was soon shelved. Now, discussions have resumed around him as the government prepares for the 13th parliamentary election, scheduled for February 2026.

Attempts to reach Chowdhury by phone and message went unanswered.

However, sources in the Awami League said the party is exploring multiple avenues to join the race as part of its desperate effort to return to political field since clouds over the 13th parliamentary election are beginning to go.

Alongside forming a “refined Awami League,” the party is also considering fielding its own candidates through alternative means. It is learnt that the party is looking for two potential candidates in each constituency who were not previously officeholders but have the ability to influence voters.

If the “refined Awami League” project falters, the party’s fallback plan is to field loyalists under JaPa’s nomination.

Awami League and JaPa were close allies during the past four parliamentary terms, and both sides see tactical advantages in renewed cooperation. Fragmented into seven factions and weakened organisationally, JaPa lacks the strength to field candidates in all constituencies. Party insiders admit that leveraging Awami League’s voter base could help JaPa stay relevant.

“Any candidate with a clean image can contest the election, regardless of their political affiliation. JaPa may nominate popular individuals who are not involved in crimes. Even clean-image figures from the Awami League could receive JaPa nominations,” said JaPa Secretary General Barrister Shamim Haider Patwary when asked about accommodating candidates to be fielded by the deposed party.

JaPa Chairman GM Quader has already voiced opposition to banning the Awami League. “An election excluding both the Awami League and JaPa, who together represent nearly half the population, will not be credible,” he told TIMES in a recent interview. He added, “Those who committed crimes must face justice, but there’s no problem nominating clean individuals.”

Both parties are now discreetly selecting potential candidates across constituencies. JaPa may nominate Awami League-aligned businesspeople, doctors, journalists, and other influential figures, many of whose names are being compiled within the Awami League itself.

If Awami League activities remain banned, these loyalists are expected to contest under JaPa’s ticket, ensuring pro-Awami representation in the next parliament.

Strategically, the move would allow Awami League supporters in parliament to safeguard their political interests, press for human rights protections for party’s arrested leader, activists and loyalists, and possibly lay the groundwork for the party’s eventual return to formal politics, informed the sources.