Islami Andolan quits Jamaat-led alliance, to contest polls independently in 268 seats

Islami Andolan Bangladesh has announced its withdrawal from Jamaat-e-Islami–led 11-party electoral alliance and said it will contest the upcoming general election independently in 268 constituencies.

The decision was announced on Friday (16 January) by Gazi Ataur Rahman, senior joint secretary general and spokesperson of Islami Andolan Bangladesh, at a press conference held at the party’s central office in Dhaka to clarify its stance ahead of the polls.

The party said it had submitted nomination papers in 270 constituencies, but the nominations of two candidates were cancelled on appeal.

Islami Andolan has instructed its remaining 268 candidates to contest the election and confirmed that none of them will withdraw their nominations.

At the press conference, Islami Andolan leaders strongly criticised Jamaat-e-Islami.

Ataur said the party was “astonished” by Jamaat Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman’s recent remarks that, if elected to power, Jamaat would govern the country according to existing laws.

He also cited Jamaat’s assurances to Christian community representatives that Sharia would not be implemented, describing the position as “disheartening.”

“The slogan of Jamaat-e-Islami was ‘We want Allah’s law, we want the rule of honest people,’” Ataur said. “But now, as an environment for coming to power has emerged, they are retreating from that stance and prioritising power above all else.”

Islami Andolan Bangladesh said it practises politics based on principles and ideology and cannot mislead its activists for the sake of political gain. It added that since “some major political forces” are choosing to uphold existing laws instead of Allah’s law, the party is unwilling to remain their ally.

Speculation had grown in recent days over Islami Andolan’s future in Jamaat-led coalition. On Thursday, the alliance announced its candidate distribution for 253 constituencies, allocating 179 seats to Jamaat-e-Islami and 30 to Jatiya Nagorik Party (NCP), while leaving 47 seats for Islami Andolan Bangladesh.

Other allocations included 20 seats for Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis, 10 for Khelafat Majlis, seven for Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), three for AB Party, and two each for the Nizam-e-Islam Party and the Bangladesh Development Party.

Seat sharing for Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon and the Jatiya Ganotantrik Party remained undecided.

Islami Andolan Bangladesh did not send any representative to the alliance’s seat-sharing press conference.

At the time, Jamaat chief Dr Shafiqur Rahman said the party was “working things out amongst themselves” and expressed hope that Islami Andolan would remain in the alliance.