Despite internal tensions over seat allocations, Jamaat’s 10-party alliance has fielded limited candidates from key partners Khelafat Andolon and Jagpa, with negotiations over women’s and upper house seats deferred until after the election.
A Collage of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami with their two key partners, Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon and the Jatiya Ganatantrik Party (Jagpa)
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A Collage of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami with their two key partners, Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon and the Jatiya Ganatantrik Party (Jagpa)
Within the 10-party alliance led by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, two key partners – Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon and the Jatiya Ganatantrik Party (Jagpa) – are fielding candidates in eight and one constituencies, respectively, although all these seats also feature contenders from other alliance members.
Despite internal dissatisfaction among Khelafat Andolon grassroots over seat allocations, Jagpa senior vice president and spokesperson Rashed Pradhan told The Business Standard, “We have no grievances and have not relied on any promises. Jamaat offered us three constituencies, which we did not accept, considering political realities.”
Several Jamaat leaders said that while there were detailed discussions with Khelafat Andolon, offering them two upper house seats, no negotiations were held with Jagpa. Even though Jamaat proposed further seat-sharing talks, Jagpa indicated it would discuss the matter only after the election.
For Khelafat Andolon, Organising Secretary Sultan Mohiuddin told TBS that although the party is contesting eight seats, these remain open for negotiation with the alliance. “There are dissatisfactions among the grassroots, but Jamaat has guaranteed us two upper house seats. Even though our Ameer is contesting a lower house seat, Jamaat will nominate him and another member to the upper house. Jamaat’s electoral preparation is stronger in all constituencies, so we accepted the reality without protest.”
Founded in 1981, Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon has candidates contesting in Dhaka-7 (Amir Maulana Habibullah Miazi), Narayanganj-3 (Atikur Rahman Nannu Munshi), Dhaka-16 (Maulana Tawhiduzzaman), Shariatpur-2 (Maulana Mahmudul Hasan), Netrokona-2 (Maulana Gazi Abdur Rahim), Feni-1 (Maulana Anwarullah Bhuiya), Feni-2 (Abul Hossain Faruk) and Feni-3 (Advocate Khaliduzzaman Khaled Patwary). Of these seats, Jamaat has candidates in seven, NCP in one, and one seat features a Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis candidate.
Meanwhile, Jagpa is contesting only in Jashore-3, where Praesidium Member Nizam Uddin is contesting as the sole candidate of the party, while Jamaat fielded Abdul Kader, former vice president of the Government MM College central student union.
Rashed Pradhan also explained seat withdrawals: “In Dinajpur, our general secretary Prof Iqbal Hossain had finalised a nomination, but he withdrew due to health complications. Panchagarh-1 was confirmed for me before NCP joined the alliance; however, I had to vacate the seat for NCP’s Sarjis Alam after the party’s inclusion. We also discussed Panchagarh-2, but Jamaat had a well-prepared candidate there, so we withdrew. Jamaat’s leadership sought discussions on sharing reserved women’s seats and upper house seats, but we suggested negotiating that after the election.”
A senior Jamaat leader confirmed that Nayeb-e-Ameer Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher tried negotiating with Jagpa, but no talks were held. Jamaat intended to offer the party one women’s seat and one upper house seat.