Seat-sharing deal: 179 for Jamaat, 30 for NCP; IAB not on board yet
Amid brewing tensions between Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Andolon Bangladesh (IAB) over seat sharing, the Jamaat-led 11-party electoral alliance yesterday announced single candidates for 253 constituencies.
The announcement came at a crowded press conference at the Institution of Diploma Engineers in Kakrail. A chair had been reserved for IAB Ameer and Chormonai Pir Mufti Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim, but neither he nor any representative showed up.
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Though the banner at the conference read “consensus among the 11-party electoral alliance”, IAB’s absence pointed to rifts between it and Jamaat.
The combine set aside 47 seats for IAB and two other partners -- Bangladesh Khilafat Andolan and Jatiya Gonotantrik Party.
Seat-sharing deals must be settled by January 20, the last date for withdrawal of nominations.
At the press conference, which began at 8:40pm, Jamaat Nayeb-e-Ameer Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher announced the seat shares in the presence of Jamaat Ameer Shafiqur Rahman and top leaders of other allied parties.
Jamaat has been allotted 179 seats, National Citizen Party 30, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis 20, Khelafat Majlis 10, Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) seven, Amar Bangladesh (AB) Party three, while Bangladesh Nezam-e-Islam Party and Bangladesh Development Party have been allotted two seats each.
Which candidate will contest which seat was not mentioned, nor was any such list provided to journalists present.
In his opening remarks at the briefing, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis Ameer Mamunul Haque said, “Under the one-box policy, whichever candidate is ultimately nominated for each seat on behalf of the 11 parties, we will call on all party leaders, activists, and the people of the country to work together in support of that candidate.”
NCP Convener Nahid Islam said, “A number of political parties that stand for reforms, for freedom, and for a Bangladesh free of discrimination and corruption have come together on one platform. We have decided to participate collectively in the upcoming national election and referendum. This is therefore a historic moment and journey for us.”
LDP President Oli Ahmed said, “You have seen the rule of the Awami League and the rule of the BNP. Now I ask you to witness a system based on justice, good governance, free from extortion and corruption.
“This is where freedom fighters and the July fighters of 2024 have come together. Such a convergence has not happened anywhere else.”
Asked if IAB’s absence indicates that the alliance has broken, Jamaat Ameer Shafiqur said, “The alliance has not broken; it still exists. One party did not agree for some reason. That does not mean the alliance has collapsed. In fact, this is not even an alliance -- it is an electoral unity.”
Without naming IAB, he said, “One party was with us from the outset but is not seen here today. This is not a matter of rupture. They are having further internal discussions. We are in touch with them. They will convey their final decision. We hope they will remain with us.”
Contacted by The Daily Star after the press conference, IAB Joint Secretary General and spokesperson Gazi Ataur Rahman said they did not join the press conference due to divisions and mistrust within the alliance.
“We were the initiator of the one-box policy for the country’s Islamist people and forces, meaning there will be single candidate for all the Islamist parties contesting the election. But the 11-party alliance is no longer remaining an Islamist alliance as other parties have been included.”
He said Jamaat’s top leadership was making one decision after another without consulting other partners in the alliance, which he described as humiliating.
“It seems they have adopted a ‘go alone’ policy. Jamaat appears least concerned about taking the opinions of other alliance members. They are distributing seats to different parties as if they own all 300 constituencies.
“Why should we accept their authoritarian attitude just for the sake of some seats? We don’t do politics just for seats.”
Ataur said they had tried their best to remain in the alliance. “But Jamaat’s authoritarian attitude left no environment for us to remain there.”
He added that IAB would consult like-minded Islamist scholars and formally announce whether it would remain in the alliance or forge a new one.
Later last night, IAB said it would brief the media on the issue at its central office at 3:00pm today.
Around 11:00am, top leaders of 10 parties met at the Jamaat’s central office in Moghbazar to finalise the seat-sharing arrangements. IAB leaders were not present at the meeting.
In an effort to keep IAB in the fold, Mamunul Haque was tasked with holding talks with the IAB’s top leadership.
Following the meeting, he expressed hope that the seat allocation could be announced with IAB on board, adding that he had already spoken to its leaders.
Nahid Islam said that although differences had emerged, they would be resolved soon. “Every effort will be made to keep this alliance intact. Even if there are disagreements, the alliance process will move forward.”
He added that there would be no party candidates in any of the 300 constituencies, with all contenders contesting as alliance candidates. “Everyone will support everyone.”
While the 10-party meeting was under way, IAB issued a statement around 1:30pm, saying that although some discomfort had emerged, the time had not yet come to make any final comments.
“Leaders were continuing multi-prong and multi-party talks. Once a position is reached where a final decision can be shared, Islami Andolan and the other parties will formally inform the nation,” the statement read.
Around the same time, Jamaat Ameer Shafiqur Rahman wrote on his verified Facebook page, “Recently, I have noticed that some people, in showing solidarity and sympathy towards Jamaat-e-Islami, have begun making undesirable and misleading comments and posts on social media about our brotherly organisation Islami Andolan Bangladesh.
“I humbly request you -- if you truly love Jamaat-e-Islami, please refrain from such undesirable activities.”
Late last year, when the government and the Election Commission were discussing holding a national election in early February, Jamaat, IAB and eight other parties launched joint street programmes demanding the implementation of the July charter before the polls.
As the February election schedule was finalised, the parties moved towards a seat-sharing arrangement. Two days before the nomination deadline, NCP and LDP joined the alliance. Around the same time, AB Party also joined, expanding it to an 11-party combine.
After the inclusion of the three new parties, tensions emerged between Jamaat and IAB over seat sharing.
IAB alleged that Jamaat brought in the three parties without consulting alliance partners. It also accused Jamaat of unilaterally promising 30 seats to NCP.
As a result, a sense of discontent, distrust and unease grew among leaders and activists of IAB and several other alliance partners.
Against this backdrop, Hamidur Rahman Azad, coordinator of the 11-party alliance and assistant secretary general of Jamaat, called a press conference on Wednesday to announce the final seat-sharing arrangement.
However, three hours later, the press conference was postponed. IAB again alleged that it had not been consulted in this regard.
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