Jamaat-e-Islami has yet to publicly declare its position on seat-sharing for the upcoming national elections, but reports suggest the party may cede a significant portion of the 300 parliamentary seats to seven like-minded political parties.
In Sylhet division, speculation is mounting that Jamaat could give up seven constituencies to like-minded parties.
Internal discussions are reportedly underway within Jamaat, focusing on constituencies where candidates from other parties have stronger chances of winning.
The seven constituencies in Sylhet division likely to be ceded include, Sylhet-2 (Bishwanath, Balaganj, Osmani Nagar), Sylhet-5 (Zakiganj-Kanaighat), Sunamganj-3 (Shantiganj-Jagannathpur), Moulvibazar-4 (Sreemangal-Kamalganj), Habiganj-2 (Baniachong-Ajmiriganj), Habiganj-3 (Sadar, Lakhai, Shayestaganj) and Habiganj-4 (Chunarughat-Madhabpur)
Jamaat leaders say discussions with seven like-minded political parties are at an advanced stage, and the final seat-sharing arrangement could include additional political parties.
A decision is expected by 10 December, after which the party will announce which seats will be ceded and the candidates for those constituencies.
Sources indicate that talks involve Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Khelafat Majlis, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis, Bangladesh Khelafat Andolan, Bangladesh Nezam-e-Islam Party, Jatiya Gonotantrik Party (JAGPA), and Bangladesh Development Party. However, Jamaat has not yet taken a public stance.
The party is pursuing a cautious strategy, applying pressure on the government through coordinated programmes with the seven other parties while carrying out constituency-level surveys. Candidate selections will be finalised based on the survey results.
Campaign activities in the contested constituencies have already begun.
The constituencies are Sylhet-2 where Jamaat candidate Principal Abdul Hannan and Khelafat Majlis’s Muntasir Ali are active.
In Sylhet-5, Jamaat’s district Nayeb-e-Ameer Maulana Anwar Hossain Khan faces competition from Islami Andolan’s Mufti Rezaul Karim, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis’s Maulana Rezaul Karim Jalali, and Islami Oikya Jote’s Mufti Faizul Haque Jalalabadi.
Besides, in Sunamganj-3, Jamaat nominee Advocate Yasin Khan campaigns alongside Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis’s central Nayeb-e-Ameer Advocate Shahinur Pasha Chowdhury and UK expatriate Hafiz Mushtaq Ahmed.
In Moulvibazar-4, Jamaat’s Advocate Md Abdur Rab campaigns, while Nurul Alam Hamidi, son of Allama Shayekh Khalilur Rahman Hamidi (R), may also contest.
Habiganj-2 where Jamaat nominee Advocate Zillur Rahman Azmir campaigns alongside Khelafat Majlis’s Baniachang leader Abdul Basit Azad.
In Habiganj-3, Jamaat candidate district secretary Kazi Mohsin Ahmed campaigns with support from other like-mided parties, including Advocate Chowdhury Ashraful Bari Noman of Islami Ganadhikar Parishad, Hafiz Maulana Mahbubur Rahman Chowdhury Helal of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Bangladesh, and Alhaj Mohib Uddin Ahmad Sohel of Islami Andolan Bangladesh.
Habiganj-4 where Jamaat nominee district Ameer Kazi Maulana Mokhlishur Rahman is campaigning, with Khelafat Majlis’s Secretary Abdur Qader Bachchu also participating.
Muhammad Fakhrul Islam, central committee member and Sylhet city Ameer of Jamaat, said, “Work is ongoing across all 300 constituencies. Discussions with eight like-minded political parties are taking place at the central level. Seats will be ceded where candidates from the seven parties have stronger chances of winning. Candidate selection will be finalised before public announcements, and if changes occur, previous candidates will support newly nominated ones.”
Assistant Secretary General Advocate Ahsanul Mahboob Zubair said, “Seat-sharing discussions with seven political parties are ongoing, and additional parties may join. A final decision will be announced on 7 or 8 December.”
He said, “If not finalised by then, it will be declared by 10 December. Speculation will continue, but actual decisions on seat allocation and nominations will follow the ongoing talks.”
