Political circles here say Jamaat will have to make calculation anew if JP forms electoral alliance with the four-party combine. On Tuesday, former JP lawmaker from Nilphamari-2 constituency Ahsan Ahmed bought a cow and hosted a grand luncheon for party men and supporters, JP sources said. He lost to Awami League's Asaduzzaman Noor in the last election.

Ershad's comments reported by the electronic and print media also strained BNP-Jamaat relations in the district.

As in other constituencies in greater Rangpur, local JP aspirants are now enthusiastic to get four-party alliance's nomination in the next parliament election.

If they get alliance ticket, Jamaat will have to make a fresh calculation and tighten its belt.

But Jamaat will not give JP a walkover, some senior Jamaat leaders told this correspondent.

Seeking anonymity, Jamaat leaders said they selected candidates for all the four seats in the district and are working out the next step. They said they will do whatever necessary to get alliance tickets for the four seats.

Party insiders said Jamaat have been eyeing NIlphamari-1 constituency (Domar-Dimla) for long, where BNP chief's nephew Shahrin Islam Tuhin is a possible candidate from the alliance.

In Domar municipal election held last year, Jamaat men voted against BNP candidate for the post of chairman to ensure his defeat as he is Tuhin's man.

"This should have been a message for BNP high command that Jamaat wants alliance nomination in all the four seats in the district", a front ranking JP leader in the district said.

He also claimed that Jamaat had a hand in filing of a rape case against Anwarul Kabir Chowdhury, a BNP contender from Nilphamari-3 (Jaldhaka-Kishoreganj) constituency.

Sources said possible Jamaat candidates from Nilphamari-1, Nilphamari-2, Nilphamari-3 and Nilpamari-4 constituency are Maulana Isahaqe Ali, Moniruzza-man Montu, Mizanur Rahman Chowdhury and Md. Mosammel Haq. Jamaat candidates and party workers have been working for long in their areas for the coming election though formal announcement of candidature has not yet been made.

Senior BNP leaders said they have 'good' candidates in the four constituencies but the decision will be taken by the party chief.

The tug of war between BNP and Awami League to get JP on board has enhanced its position among silent voters, which has become a cause of concern for Jamaat, locals observed.

In 1996 election, Jatiya Party won three parliamentary seats out of four in the district. The rest one was captured by Jamaat.

In 2001 election, JP lost all the four seats, with its candidates running in second and third positions. Jamaat bagged one seat.

Jamaat has now become afraid of losing importance in the alliance.

Talking to this correspondent, JP Presidium member Joinal Abedin said, before joining the alliance, the party chairman should give a pre-condition that JP candidates will get nomination in all the 22 seats of greater Rangpur.

"If we join the (four-party) alliance, Jamaat should not vainly try for nomination in any of the seats in Nilphamari", said Abedin.

Nilphamari district Jamaat Ameer Md. Muzammel Haq, also a probable candidate from Nilphamari-4 said, "Our party has objected to Ershad's joining the alliance".

Moniruzzaman Montu, Nilphamari municipal Jamaat Ameer and a possible candidate from Nilphamari-2, claimed that Jamaat is a 'tested partner of BNP' and said his party will contest in all the four constituencies in the district with alliance ticket.