Islami Andolan's exit triggers fresh bargaining over 50 seats in Jamaat-led alliance
Although the alliance initially mentioned 253 seats, the actual figure stands at 250, as some constituencies were listed under multiple parties.
Islami Andolan Bangladesh's (IAB) decision to leave the Jamaat-e-Islami-led electoral alliance and contest the election independently has triggered new negotiations among the remaining partners over the redistribution of 50 previously reserved seats.
A day earlier, the alliance – previously introduced as an 11-party unity but now effectively a 10-party coalition – had announced a consensus on 250 seats, keeping 50 seats aside for IAB.
However, this afternoon (16 January), IAB held a separate press conference and declared that it would field candidates in 268 constituencies on its own. The sudden withdrawal has left the 50 seats open, prompting alliance members to push for larger allocations.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
Mahabub Alam, joint chief coordinator of the National Citizen Party (NCP) and a member of the alliance's electoral media sub-committee, told TBS, "We expect the NCP's share to increase. Our seats could rise from 30 to 40."
Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish publicity secretary Hasan Junaid said his party intended to reclaim 12 additional seats that had been dropped during previous negotiations.
He explained that of the 20 seats currently allocated to them, three are "open" and contested by multiple partners—Faridpur-4, Kishoreganj-4 and one seat in Sunamganj.
"Under our internal understanding, two open seats are counted as one full seat. As such, we are counting 1.5 seats from the three open ones. To reach our target of 20, we need two more confirmed seats," he said, adding that discussions with Jamaat were ongoing.
AB Party Chairman Mujibur Rahman Manju said formal redistribution talks had not yet begun but noted that his party expected its tally to rise from three seats to eight.
Khelafat Majlish is also seeking a larger share, and party sources said they expected at least three more seats following the IAB's departure.
During Thursday's briefing, Jamaat's Nayeb-e-Ameer Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher had announced 10 seats for Khelafat Majlish party. If they secure three more, the total would increase to 13.
According to sources who attended the alliance meeting at the Jamaat office yesterday, preliminary discussions have already started on dividing the 50 vacant seats.
Meanwhile, Jamaat – the lead partner in the alliance – is moving to settle disputes quickly.
Matiur Rahman Akanda, secretary of Jamaat's publicity and media wing, told TBS, "A meeting of the Jamaat executive committee has been called today to review the situation and reach a final decision."
He said the 50 seats earlier reserved for IAB had originally come from Jamaat's share.
He also said that a meeting of the liaison committee will be held today, adding, "The final announcement regarding the redistribution of those 50 seats will be made then."
Although the alliance initially mentioned 253 seats, the actual figure stands at 250, as some constituencies were listed under multiple parties. Insiders said that several seats where Jamaat has no candidate may also be redistributed among the remaining partners.
As negotiations continue, alliance cohesion faces a fresh test, with each partner trying to maximise its electoral presence ahead of the polls.
How Jamaat manages the competing demands while maintaining unity will likely determine the alliance's final seat-sharing arrangement and its overall strategy in the election.
