A complex equation over seat sharing has emerged between Jamaat-e-Islami and like-minded parties after the National Citizen Party (NCP) expressed its desire to join the alliance.
Although seat-sharing discussions had been ongoing among the eight parties, including Jamaat, it is now almost certain that the NCP will join them at the eleventh hour.
Consequently, changes in seat-sharing calculations have also put significant pressure on the alliance’s main party, Jamaat-e-Islami.
As per the schedule for 13th National Parliamentary Election, 29 December is the last day for collecting and submitting nomination papers. Jamaat leaders say they aim to reach a seat-sharing agreement before that.
Speaking to TIMES of Bangladesh, Jamaat-e-Islami Nayeb-e-Ameer Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher said, “We are in talks with NCP regarding electoral seat sharing. The discussions have progressed significantly.
“Additionally, we were previously in favour of contesting the election with seat-sharing among eight parties. We will finalise both matters before 29 December.”
Meanwhile, a top leader of the alliance said, “The seat-sharing agreement will be finalised and announced on 27 December.”
The parties that had been in seat-sharing talks with Jamaat are – Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis, Nezam-e-Islam Party, Khelafat Majlis, Bangladesh Khelafat Andolan, Jatiya Gonotantrik Party (JAGPA), and Bangladesh Development Party.
These eight parties had been engaged in a joint movement for nearly three months, including demands for the implementation of July Charter and a five-point agenda. They are now running a strong campaign in favour of a “Yes” vote in the referendum.
Sources within the parties indicate that initial discussions are underway for Jamaat to get 175 seats, Islami Andolan to get 60 seats, and for 30 popular candidates from the other six parties.
Moreover, Mamunul Haque’s Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis and Ahmad Abdul Kader’s Khelafat Majlis, is set to be nominated from the alliance.
Jamaat is positively inclined to give 30 seats to the NCP, which is seeking to join at the last minute. While not finalised, sources from multiple parties confirm that the parties will get seats close to these figures.
This time, to present a surprise, the parties, including Jamaat, may field women candidates. Additionally, there are plans to nominate gallant freedom fighters, non-Muslims, and individuals from special communities.
Jamaat has already nominated Krishna Nandi for Khulna-1. Moreover, former BNP lawmaker and valiant freedom fighter Major (retd) Akhtaruzzaman recently joined the party. It is assumed he may contest the election.
Jamaat is under considerable pressure in seat-sharing due to Islami Andolan, led by Charmonai Pir Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim, demanding more seats. Sources say Islami Andolan has demanded around a hundred seats, which is not possible for Jamaat to allocate.
However, leaders from both parties say that while there are challenges, there is no crisis between them.
Islami Andolan’s Senior Joint Secretary General Gazi Ataur Rahman told TIMES, “The party with a strong position in a particular constituency will be given the nomination there. In this regard, we are facing some challenges in seat-sharing. But we do not see any crisis.”
Sources say for the past three months, the eight parties have been working on candidate lists with the target of winning the maximum number of seats in this election. More emphasis was placed on ensuring that the votes of Islamic parties are cast in “one box.”
Rather than on how many seats each party gets during the seat-sharing process.
Among the eight parties, Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Andolan Bangladesh have the most capacity to influence the electoral field. The two parties contesting the election through seat-sharing could impact the outcome of the upcoming polls.
Additionally, if the NCP, formed under the leadership of front-line fighters of the July movement, joins, the Jamaat-led alliance aims to leverage youth strength rather than just influencing the electoral field.
Specifically, they could play a strong role in favour of a “Yes” vote in the referendum for implementing July Charter in the future.
News of an electoral alliance between the NCP and Jamaat is not new.
However, it gained a new dimension on Thursday morning around 8:30am through a Facebook post by Abdul Kader, former coordinator of the anti-discrimination students’ movement and convener of the defunct Ganatantrik Chhatra Sangsad Dhaka University unit.
He wrote, “The politics of youth is about to be buried. The NCP is finally forming a direct alliance with Jamaat. If the NCP demanded 50 seats from Jamaat, after bargaining, it has been finalised at 30 seats.
“According to the alliance’s terms, the NCP cannot field any candidates in the remaining 270 seats. The NCP will support Jamaat in those seats.”
NCP Joint Chief Coordinator Arifur Rahman Tuhin said, “The NCP is interested in an electoral alliance with this coalition, including Jamaat, on the issue of reform. Therefore, positive discussions are ongoing with Jamaat. The matter could be finalised within a day or two.”
However, while a large section of the NCP is in favour of seat-sharing with Jamaat, there is dissent within the party. They are not in favour of joining an alliance with Jamaat for a small number of seats.
They have reservations about the party due to Jamaat’s controversial role in 1971. Instead, they want to lean towards BNP. Although BNP is not showing much interest in the NCP at the moment.
