শুক্রবার, ১৭ জুলাই ২০২৬, ০২:৪০ অপরাহ্ন
Highlights:
Islami Andolan breaks with Jamaat-led party bloc, to go solo in 268 constituencies
Party launches sharp criticism of Jamaat, says astonished by Shafiqur’s statement
Islami Andolan says it practises politics based on principles and ideology, cannot deceive activists for power
There had been speculation about whether Islami Andolan would stay in Jamaat-led coalition
Islami Andolan Bangladesh will not remain in the Jamaat-e-Islami-led party electoral alliance, the party announced this afternoon (16 January), saying it will contest the upcoming election independently in 268 constituencies.
Gazi Ataur Rahman, senior joint secretary general of Islami Andolan Bangladesh, made the announcement at a press conference at the party’s central office in Dhaka, convened to clarify the party’s position ahead of the polls.
Out of the 270 constituencies where the party submitted nomination papers for the general election, the candidacies of two candidates were cancelled on appeal, the party said.
Islami Andolan Bangladesh said it has instructed the remaining 268 candidates to contest the election, adding that none of them will withdraw their nomination papers.
We were astonished to hear Jamaat Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman clearly state that if they come to power, they will govern the country according to existing laws
Ataur, also spokesperson for Islami Andolan Bangladesh, said, “We were astonished to hear Jamaat Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman clearly state that if they come to power, they will govern the country according to existing laws.
“He assured representatives of the Christian community that Sharia will not be implemented [if Jamaat assumes power]. We are disheartened by this [commitment].”
The Islami Andolan Bangladesh leader continued, “The Jamaat-e-Islami’s slogan was ‘We want Allah’s law, we want the rule of honest people.’ But now that an environment for their coming to power has emerged, they are retreating from that position and prioritising power above all else.”
Islami Andolan Bangladesh said it practises politics based on principles and ideology and cannot deceive its activists for the sake of power.
Since “some major political forces” are now choosing to follow existing laws instead of Allah’s law, Islami Andolan Bangladesh is not prepared to be their allies, it added.
There had been speculation for the last few days about whether Islami Andolan Bangladesh would stay in the Jamaat-led coalition.
Yesterday, the alliance announced its candidate distribution for the election in 253 constituencies, reserving 179 seats for Jamaat and 30 for the National Citizen Party (NCP), leaving 47 seats vacant for Islami Andolan Bangladesh.
Other seat allocations included 20 for Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis, 10 for Khelafat Majlis, seven for the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), three for the AB Party, and two each for the Nizam-e-Islam Party and the Bangladesh Development Party.
Seat sharing for the Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon and Jatiya Ganotantrik Party remained undecided.
Islami Andolan Bangladesh did not send any representative to the press conference.
At the time, Jamaat chief Shafiqur said about Islami Andolan Bangladesh that the party was “working things out amongst themselves. I hope they will join us.”
