Election alliances taking shape as BNP, Jamaat drift apart
Alliance or not – NCP still undecided as it weighing different options
Highlights:
- BNP and Jamaat split over referendum timing, charter reforms
- Jamaat emerges as BNP's main rival in upcoming election
- BNP courting smaller parties for alliances, including 12-party coalition
- New National Citizen Party weighing alliances with BNP or Jamaat
- Jamaat-led eight-party bloc campaigns on July Charter, referendum demands
- Alternative parties explore independent fronts beyond BNP-Jamaat political axis
Following the fall of the Awami League government through last year's student-led mass uprising, the political landscape in Bangladesh has entered a new phase of confrontation – this time between long-time allies the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and the Jamaat-e-Islami.
Disagreements over the legal basis of the July Charter, the timing of the referendum, and proposed political reforms have gradually widened the gap between the two parties.
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Jamaat is demanding that a national referendum be held before the general election, while the BNP insists it should take place on the same day as the polls. The BNP wants to amend only those parts of the July Charter that were unanimously agreed upon, whereas Jamaat favours broader reforms, including provisions on the "note of dissent."
It has now become increasingly evident that in the forthcoming general election, Jamaat will be BNP's principal rival. Both parties are working to form major alliances around themselves, courting smaller parties both publicly and behind the scenes. Many of these smaller groups are still undecided and engaged in negotiations, while efforts to build a "third front" outside the BNP-Jamaat sphere are also under way.
We've been in talks with the BNP, but there has not yet been any formal discussion on seat-sharing.
Talks intensify over possible alliances
Andaleeve Rahman Partha, chairman of the Bangladesh Jatiya Party (BJP), told TBS that discussions with the BNP were ongoing. "We've been in talks with the BNP, but there has not yet been any formal discussion on seat-sharing. Further dialogue will take place soon," he said.
Syed Ehsanul Huda, chairman of the Bangladesh Jatiya Dal (BJD) and coordinator of the 12-party alliance, said, "We will ally with the BNP. They've always made it clear that they won't leave the coalition, and neither will we. We've been together for a long time and will remain so."
Fariduzzaman Farhad, chairman of the National People's Party (NPP) and coordinator of the nationalist like-minded alliance, said, "We were part of the BNP-led 18- and 20-party alliances in the past and participated in joint movements. Now we are in the 12-party nationalist alliance and will contest the upcoming election in alliance with the BNP. They've asked us for a list of constituencies, and we have submitted it."
Mostafizur Rahman Iran, chairman of the Bangladesh Labour Party, said his party had long been a partner in joint movements with the BNP. "Formal discussions are yet to take place, but informal contacts have been made by several parties. We are interested in an electoral alliance with the BNP, and talks could be held next week," he noted.
Since 2022, the BNP has led a joint anti-government movement involving over 40 parties, vowing to form a national government if elected – a pledge it continues to uphold. Addressing a programme at the National Press Club yesterday, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said, "We've made it very clear – we want to form a national government after the election with our allies who have fought alongside us for the past 17 years."
We've already nominated candidates for several constituencies. We've been in talks with many parties regarding possible alliances.
New political forces weigh options
The newly formed National Citizen Party (NCP), born out of the uprising, has yet to decide whether to ally with the BNP or Jamaat. Multiple NCP leaders, speaking anonymously to this newspaper, said the party was strengthening its organisational structure nationwide while weighing its options. "Some senior leaders favour joining the BNP, while others are open to an alliance with the Jamaat. We're also considering whether to build our own coalition under independent leadership," one said.
NCP Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain earlier stated, "We've not yet begun formal discussions with any party. For the sake of the country and the people, our alliance could be with anyone. We're open to all and talking with different parties about implementing the July Charter."
The slogan of 'New Bangladesh' emerged through the uprising. We're open to alliances with any group that shares that vision.
Jamaat-led bloc
Meanwhile, Jamaat-e-Islami, Islami Andolan Bangladesh, and several Islamist parties are waging a joint campaign around five key demands – including establishing the legal basis of the July Charter and holding a referendum in November. The eight-party bloc also includes Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish, Bangladesh Nezame Islam Party, Bangladesh Khelafat Andolan, Jatiya Ganatantrik Party (JAGPA), and Bangladesh Development Party.
Rashed Pradhan, JAGPA's vice-president and spokesperson, said, "We're now in a joint movement with Jamaat and seven other parties. If talks go well, there may be an electoral alliance. If not, we're preparing to contest independently."
Abdul Hafiz Khasru, publicity secretary of Khelafat Majlish, said, "We're working jointly with Jamaat and other parties, which could lead to an electoral understanding. However, no formal discussion on alliance formation has taken place yet. A joint press conference of the eight parties is scheduled for 3 November."
We've long been part of the joint movement with the BNP. Our party conference will decide on our final position regarding alliances.
Old alliance or alternative bloc
The Gano Adhikar Parishad, led by former Ducsu vice-president Nurul Haque Nur, has also yet to reach a final decision on alliances. "We're focused on strengthening our organisation and have already nominated candidates for several constituencies. We've been in talks with many parties regarding possible alliances," Nur said.
He added that while his party was part of the one-point movement with the BNP since 2022, it was also exploring an alternative political front outside the BNP-Jamaat axis. "People want an alternative political force. We're discussing possible cooperation with Ganatantra Mancha, NCP, and AB Party," he said.
Nur added that a final decision on an alliance will be made closer to the election schedule announcement.
We're now in a joint movement with Jamaat and seven other parties. If talks go well, there may be an alliance.
Mahmudur Rahman Manna, president of Nagorik Oikya, said, "The slogan of 'New Bangladesh' emerged through the uprising. We're open to alliances with any group that shares that vision. We've had long-standing cooperation with the BNP – if not a formal electoral alliance, there is at least a mutual understanding. We're also in talks with new forces like the NCP, the Gano Adhikar Parishad, and the AB Party."
The BNP has asked Nagorik Oikya for a list of candidates, which has been submitted, Manna said.
Zonayed Saki, chief coordinator of Ganosamhati Andolon, said, "We've long been part of the joint movement with the BNP, which is still ongoing. Our upcoming party conference will decide on our final position regarding election alliances."
As the election draws nearer, the political map of Bangladesh is being redrawn – with familiar alliances fracturing, new ones emerging, and parties of all sizes manoeuvring to secure their place in a rapidly evolving post-uprising order.
