Islami Andolan Bangladesh (IAB) has announced that it will contest the 13th National Parliamentary Election independently in 268 constituencies, pulling out of the Jamaat-e-Islami-led alliance.
At a press conference this afternoon at the party’s central office in Dhaka’s Purana Paltan, party spokesperson Gazi Ataur Rahman said the decision was taken under the directive of Islami Andolan Ameer and Chormonai Pir Mufti Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim.
Explaining the reasons for pulling out of the alliance, Ataur said Islami Andolan had been deprived of fair treatment and had grown concerned over what it sees as activities “contrary to Islam and deviations from Islamic ideals.”
“We have already secured valid nominations in 268 constituencies across the country. We will contest those 268 seats independently. Islami Andolan will take part in the election on its own,” he said, adding, “We want all votes of the Islamist forces to be cast into a single ballot box.”
He also raised political concerns, saying, “The Jamaat-e-Islami ameer spoke about settling matters with BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman without holding any discussion with us. After that, doubts and suspicions emerged over whether this election would be engineered.”
He added that party candidates have been instructed not to withdraw their nominations and to prepare for contesting the national election.
The announcement formally ended Islami Andolan’s involvement in the Jamaat-led alliance ahead of the upcoming polls.
In late 2024, IAB, Jamaat, and other parties formed an alliance demanding implementation of the July Charter before February’s national election. As the election schedule was finalised, the alliance expanded to 11 parties with last-minute additions of NCP, LDP, and AB Party just before the nomination deadline.
However, tensions erupted when IAB accused Jamaat of bringing in these parties — particularly NCP — without consulting other alliance members.