The political landscape in Bangladesh saw a major shift on Thursday as a new electoral coalition, the “11-Party Electoral Alliance,” finalized seat-sharing arrangements for the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election. Led by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, the alliance has reached a consensus on 250 constituencies, leaving 50 seats vacant for Islami Andolan Bangladesh in hopes of a final reconciliation.
The list of candidates for the 250 seats is scheduled to be officially announced at 8:00 PM tonight at the Institution of Diploma Engineers, Bangladesh (IDEB) in the capital.
Last-Minute Negotiations
The decision came after a high-level meeting of the top leaders of the 10 parties at the Jamaat-e-Islami central office in Moghbazar today. According to meeting sources, the primary focus was on maintaining unity among the Islamist and like-minded political forces.
To bring Islami Andolan Bangladesh into the fold, the alliance has tasked Mamunul Haque, the Amir of Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish, with the responsibility of negotiating with the party’s leadership. Mamunul Haque confirmed he has been in discussions with the Peer of Charmonai and expressed optimism that the alliance would remain intact.
“We have had discussions with Islami Andolan. We hope to announce the candidates with them by our side at tonight’s press conference,” Mamunul Haque told reporters after the meeting.
Unified Alliance Strategy
Nahid Islam, Convener of the National Citizen Party (NCP), emphasized the strategic importance of the 11-party bloc. He stated that the alliance would not field individual party candidates; instead, everyone would contest as “Alliance Candidates” to ensure a competitive edge in the February 12 polls.
“This alliance reflects the aspirations of the people. We expect a democratic transition through a truly competitive election. While there are some differences, we believe they will be resolved shortly,” Nahid Islam said.
Islami Andolan’s Stance
Despite the seat-sharing announcement, Islami Andolan Bangladesh remains cautious. Gazi Ataur Rahman, the party’s Senior Joint Secretary General and spokesperson, mentioned that they were informed of the meeting only at 10:00 AM today, making it difficult for them to attend on such short notice.
“Our doors for discussion are still open. No final decision to separate has been made yet, and talks with Jamaat are ongoing,” he stated.
Call for Harmony
Amid rumors of a rift, Jamaat-e-Islami Amir Shafiqur Rahman issued a statement on social media, urging supporters to refrain from making derogatory remarks about Islami Andolan Bangladesh. He emphasized that maintaining brotherhood between the two organizations is crucial for the current political climate.
Key Leaders Present at the Meeting:
- Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher (Nayeb-e-Amir, Jamaat-e-Islami)
- Hamidur Rahman Azad (Assistant Secretary General, Jamaat-e-Islami)
- Nahid Islam (Convener, NCP)
- Mamunul Haque (Amir, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish)
- Mujibur Rahman Manju (Chairman, AB Party)
- Rashad Pradhan (Spokesperson, JAGPA)
The nation now looks toward the 8:00 PM announcement, which is expected to clarify the final lineup of this major political bloc as the country heads toward the 2026 general election.
