Islami Andolan breaks with Jamaat-led alliance, decides to go solo

Islami Andolan Bangladesh (IAB) has broken with the 11-party electoral alliance, led by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, and decided to take part in the 13th parliamentary election independently.

The announcement came a day after the combine finalised its seat-sharing agreement. Islami Andolan Bangladesh made its position clear at a press conference held on Friday afternoon at the party’s Purana Paltan office.

Speaking at the press conference, party’s Senior Joint Secretary General and Spokesperson Gazi Ataur Rahman said the party will contest 268 parliamentary seats independently in the national election billed for 12 February.

He said nomination papers had initially been submitted for 270 seats, but papers for two seats were rejected. “Our candidates are now actively campaigning in the remaining 268 seats, and not a single candidate will withdraw their nomination,” he added.

Ataur Rahman also said in the remaining 32 seats out of 300, the party will extend support to candidates aligned with the ideology and principles of Islami Andolan Bangladesh.

Explaining the decision to leave the Jamaat-led alliance, he said although Jamaat may have greater organisational strength, Islami Andolan Bangladesh is “not weaker morally or ideologically than any other party.”

He said the party became concerned after Jamaat leaders indicated that they will govern according to existing laws if elected. “After a meeting with Jamaat leaders, a Christian woman publicly stated that she was assured that Jamaat would not establish Sharia law if it comes to power. After learning this, Islami Andolan realised that the goal with which it is moving forward would not be fulfilled,” he said.

The Islami Andolan leader noted that after the mass uprising, an opportunity had emerged for Islamist forces to contribute to building a new Bangladesh. He said the party chief’s call for a “One Box” policy had received widespread support, but alleged that some were now attempting to divert the policy for political gains. “This has saddened and shocked Islami Andolan Bangladesh,” he added.

Several senior leaders, including Sheikh Fazle Bari Masud, Ashraful Alam, KM Atiqur Rahman, Ahmed Abdul Qayyum, Shah Iftekhar Tariq, Sheikh Fazlul Karim (Maruf) and KM Shariatullah, were present at the press conference.

Earlier, on Thursday, the Jamaat-led alliance announced candidates for 253 parliamentary seats, keeping 47 seats reserved for Islami Andolan Bangladesh. However, following prolonged tension and disagreement over seat sharing, Islami Andolan Bangladesh decided at an emergency meeting on Friday to formally quit the alliance.

Sources in the Jamaat-led 10-party alliance said discussions are now underway on reallocating the 47 vacant seats. According to alliance leaders, Jamaat is likely to contest 35-40 seats, while remaining seats may be distributed among allies such as the National Citizen Party (NCP), Bangladesh Khelafat Andolan and AB Party.