Most Islamist parties want to be part of larger political alliances led by the AL or BNP, while some are planning to form separate alliances. This is the first of a three-part series
As the next parliamentary election is around the corner, a number of Islamist parties are planning to join alliances led by the ruling Awami League or the BNP while others are planning to form separate alliances.
Though many Islamist parties are active in the political arena, their activities are limited to the areas in which they are based. These parties want to be part of large political alliances to obtain some seats or share of power if the alliance wins the polls. However, other parties are thinking of contesting the election separately.
There are 10 registered religion-based parties in Bangladesh.
Four of them – Khelafat Majlish, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, Islami Oikya Jote, and Bangladesh Islamic Party – are part of the BNP-led 20-party alliance.
Talking with leaders of Islamic parties, Dhaka Tribune found that both the Awami League and BNP are trying to include several Islamist parties in their alliances before the election.
Leaders of Islamist parties are also trying to join the political alliances led by these two major parties. They are giving priority to Awami League proposals instead of those of the BNP and the Jatiya Party.
Among the Islamist parties, Islami Andolan Bangladesh is getting more priority than others as the party’s performance in recent elections showed a sharp rise in its popularity among voters.
Founded more than three decades ago, Islami Andolan Bangladesh has made constant progress in local polls over the past three years.
In the recently held Khulna City Corporation polls, the party’s mayoral candidate bagged more votes than that of the Jatiya Party, the sitting opposition in parliament, by securing third position with 14,363 votes.
Islami Andolon Chief Mufti Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim said they want to establish Islamic rule in Bangladesh.
“We will form a coalition with parties that accept our proposal for an Islamic country,” he said.
He further said that they also have a plan to form a coalition with like-minded parties.
Islami Andolon has organizational units in all 64 districts across the country.
Islami Oikya Jote chairman Mawlana Abdul Latif said they are trying to form a separate alliance with other Islamist parties.
“If we cannot form an alliance, then we will try to build up common understanding before the election,” he said.
He further said that Islami Andolon, Khelafat Majlish, Khelafat Andolon, and other minor Islamist parties are trying to form a coalition but are yet to finalize it.
He also claimed that they are preparing to contest for seats in 300 constituencies.
Khelafat Andolon leader Mujibur Rahman Hamidi said they have no plan to join in alliances led by the Awami League or the BNP.
He said they have decided to nominate 50 candidates under the party banner in the upcoming election, scheduled to be held in December.
Source: Dhaka Tribune.
