Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Eyes a Major Electoral Alliance

Dhaka:Following the fall of Sheikh Hasina's Awami League government, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has begun discussions with like-minded parties to form an alliance for the upcoming parliamentary elections. Previously, Jamaat-e-Islami had allied with Khaleda Zia of the Bangladesh National Party (BNP) to enjoy power. However, after assessing the political pros and cons, it has decided to sever ties with Khaleda's party, ending a relationship that lasted over three decades.

War Crimes Stigma on Jamaat

According to The Daily Star, since the ousting of Prime Minister Hasina on August 5, regional parties have also been eager to join the alliance. The BNP is currently considering contesting the next general elections independently. As a result, Jamaat-e-Islami is making efforts to bring these parties under one umbrella. Notably, Jamaat-e-Islami has not been able to shake off the stigma of war crimes committed during Bangladesh's Liberation War.

Efforts for Unity

According to The Daily Star, on August 18, Jamaat-e-Islami invited all like-minded Islamist parties to a meeting at the Al-Falah auditorium in Mogbazar, Dhaka. Jamaat leader Amir Shafiqur Rahman called on party heads to participate together in the elections. The meeting was attended by leaders from the Khelafat Movement, Jamiat-e-Ulama-e-Islam, Islamic Oikya Jote, Islamic Movement of Bangladesh, Nizam-e-Islami, and Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis. Abul Kasim Kashmi, Deputy Amir of the Bangladesh Khelafat Movement, reported that Jamaat's Amir stated that the parties should have a unified voting bank. In this regard, Jamaat-e-Islami's Assistant Secretary General Hamidur Rahman Azad mentioned that it is too early to comment on the electoral alliance as the elections are still some time away. When the elections approach, they will consider forming a significant unity with like-minded Islamic parties. For now, they are engaging in dialogue with these parties for the broader interests of the country.

The Stance of Islamic Movement of Bangladesh is Crucial

Amid Jamaat-e-Islami's efforts, on September 21, Mahmoodul Hasan, president of the largest national madrasa education board, Befaqul Madarisil Arabia, also initiated similar efforts. A meeting took place at Jatrabari Madrasa, where leaders from various Islamic parties discussed coming together on one platform before the general elections. This process has already begun, and the draft of the alliance is yet to be finalized. It is said that the success of this coalition will depend on the stance of the Islamic Movement of Bangladesh, which received over 1% of the total votes in the 2008 and 2018 elections. Leaders of the Islamic Movement of Bangladesh are expected to want to lead the alliance.

Gono Odhikar Parishad in the Fray

In the upcoming elections, the Gono Odhikar Parishad, led by Nurul Haque Nur, former Vice President of the Dhaka University Central Student Union (DUCSU), will also be in the fray. The party was registered with the Election Commission on September 2. Gono's General Secretary Rashid Khan stated that some smaller parties are negotiating to participate in the elections under their electoral symbol. Another faction of the party, led by Reza Kibria, has also extended a hand of friendship. Shubhrata Chowdhury, a top leader from the faction previously led by Mustafa Mohsin Montu, noted that Gono Forum, which was split into two factions in December 2021, has re-united under the leadership of Dr. Kamal Hossain in August this year. Ataullah Amin, Joint Secretary General of Khelafat Majlish, confirmed that Jamiat-e-Ulama-e-Islam, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish, Khelafat Majlish, and Nizam-e-Islam have agreed to come together on one platform. There are ongoing efforts to unite more Islamic parties, including Islamic Oikya Jote, Islamic Movement of Bangladesh, and Jamaat-e-Islami. Mohiuddin Rabbani, Joint Secretary General of Hefazat-e-Islam, stated that their party would support the largest coalition of Islamic parties. Notably, Jamaat-e-Islami was founded in 1941 by Syed Abul A'la Maududi before the partition of India, after which he moved to Pakistan. The Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami emerged from the eastern faction of the party.