Jamaat eyes solo local election run to test grassroots strength

The Jamaat-e-Islami plans to contest the upcoming local government elections independently rather than seek seat-sharing with its allies, aiming to test its organisational strength and grassroots support.

Although Jamaat and its allies continue to coordinate on national political programmes, the party says joint local contests are difficult because there are no party symbols or nominations, while local dynamics and candidate selection create additional complications. 

"We allied in the national election based on an understanding among the partners. There is no decision within the alliance to contest local elections jointly," Jamaat Assistant Secretary General Hamidur Rahman Azad told The Business Standard.

"Jointly contesting local elections is difficult because there are no party nominations or symbols, while local issues and candidate selection create various complications. So we are not thinking along those lines," he said.

Azad said local leaders could nevertheless reach their own arrangements. Jamaat has begun discussions on potential candidates, activating grassroots organisations and other preparations.
The government plans to begin local government elections towards the end of this year, although the schedule and the first tier to go to the polls have yet to be finalised. 

State Minister for Local Government Mir Shahe Alam said the Election Commission has already been asked to begin preparations, with around Tk6,000 crore allocated for the elections. 

Alliance strains emerge
The move is exposing differences between Jamaat and its allies over electoral strategy, candidate support and whether to maintain a joint front at the local level.

The first signs of friction have emerged in Dhaka. NCP wants its spokesperson Asif Mahmud Sajeeb Bhuiyan to contest the Dhaka South mayoral election and is seeking alliance support.

Jamaat, however, has already announced Ducsu VP Shadik Kayem as its mayoral candidate, triggering tensions with the NCP. Jamaat is also preparing to field its Dhaka North unit chief Selim Uddin, while the NCP is considering senior joint convener Ariful Islam Adib for the same race. 

Both Selim and Sadik have already begun preparations on the ground.

Khalafat Majlis exits alliance
The Jamaat-led 11-party alliance was formed in January 2026 ahead of the 13th parliamentary election and jointly won 77 seats.

However, Khelafat Majlis left the alliance on 25 July, saying it would no longer join its programmes while leaving open the possibility of a broader alliance later.

A party source said Khelafat Majlis and Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis are considering an alternative electoral understanding with Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh if no deal is reached with Jamaat. The NCP and six other parties are also considering a separate local-election alliance, according to insiders.