Bangladesh Labour Party joined the 10-party alliance, expanding it into an 11-party bloc.
The announcement was made on Saturday evening by Bangladesh Labour Party Chairman Mustafizur Rahman Iran at a press conference held at the Jamaat office in Mogbazar, Dhaka, under the banner of the “United 11-Party Electoral Alliance.”
Iran said the decision was not driven solely by seat-sharing disputes with the BNP.
“I have been part of the alliance led by Begum Khaleda Zia since 2006, for nearly 20 years. But it now appears that if the BNP comes to power, it will again establish a fascist system like the Awami League,” Iran said.
“This does not align with the party’s stated principles. That is why, with whatever strength and capacity we have, we have joined the anti-fascist Jamaat alliance,” he added.
He stressed that electoral calculations were not the primary factor.
“If this were only about seat-sharing, we would not be joining the Jamaat alliance at this time, because Jamaat has nothing to offer us right now. But to continue our struggle against Indian hegemony, we are joining the Jamaat alliance,” Iran added.
At the same press conference, Jamaat-e-Islami Assistant Secretary General and Election Management Committee Chair ATM Masum said the alliance had formally expanded.
“With the Labour Party joining the 10-party alliance to build the country on the basis of unity, our alliance has now become an 11-party alliance,” he said.
The Labour Party had long been part of the BNP-led alliance but left the coalition ahead of the election after failing to secure any seats.
Senior alliance leaders, including Jamaat-e-Islami Assistant Secretary General and publicity division chief Ehsanul Mahbub Jubayer, were present at the press conference.
Manna weighs gains and losses
Talks have also been under way between Jamaat leaders and Nagorik Oikya President and Gonotantra Mancha leader Mahmudur Rahman Manna, though he remains undecided, weighing potential gains and losses.
A Jamaat source said Manna is contesting the Dhaka-18 and Bogura-2 constituencies.
“After overcoming various legal complications, his nominations in both seats were eventually declared valid. Jamaat wants to leave either of the two seats for Manna. However, Manna wants to contest both seats with alliance support. He is seeking a guarantee of victory in at least one constituency,” the source said.
As a result, Manna’s entry into the alliance remains unresolved.
Asked on Saturday night whether Manna would join the Jamaat alliance, Assistant Secretary General ATM Masum said there was still time.
“You will find out. The 11-party alliance stands with anti-fascist forces,” he said.
Although Manna initially received a preliminary nomination from Bogura-2, the BNP later replaced him with local leader Shahe Alam as its final candidate.
Media reports have also said Manna was offered a ministerial post if the BNP came to power, but he declined.
Despite several days of discussions, Manna has yet to reach a final decision.
Speaking to TIMES of Bangladesh on Friday, he said political parties were currently preoccupied with negotiations.
“It is difficult to say who is going where and when,” he said.
On the question of joining the Jamaat alliance, Manna said there had been little discussion so far.
“They may be holding internal discussions. As for whether I am going to the Jamaat alliance or not – yes or no – let us see,” he said.
Meanwhile, after reports emerged suggesting Manna might join the Jamaat alliance, the BNP has continued to stay in contact with him, a Nagorik Oikya executive committee member and former Dhaka metropolitan unit president told TIMES.
“If Manna joins the Jamaat alliance and fails to become a lawmaker, it could invite criticism over his political position and further weaken his political career. That is why he is thinking very carefully about the matter,” he added.
