Seat-Sharing Talks Among Jamaat-Led Alliance Near Final Stage

Seat-sharing negotiations among parties allied with Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami have reached a near-final stage ahead of the 13th parliamentary election. Jamaat is now holding separate meetings with individual parties, and sources say the agreement is expected to be finalized before the deadline for withdrawal of nomination papers.

Eight parties held several rounds of formal and informal meetings over the past few months to finalize a seat-sharing arrangement for the election. These parties are Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis, Khelafat Majlis, Bangladesh Khelafat Andolan, Bangladesh Nezame-e-Islam Party, Jatiya Ganotantrik Party (Jagpa), and Bangladesh Development Party (BDP). Later, three more parties joined the arrangement: National Citizen Party (NCP), Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), and Amar Bangladesh Party (AB Party). This brought the total number of alliance partners to 11.

While discussions were still ongoing, Jamaat submitted nomination papers in 276 constituencies, while Islami Andolan submitted nominations in 268 seats. In addition, NCP submitted nominations in 47 seats, AB Party in 53, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis in 94, Khelafat Majlis in 68, LDP in 24, Khelafat Andolan in 11, Nezame-e-Islam Party in six, Jagpa in three, and BDP in two constituencies.

If the seat-sharing agreement is finalized, only one alliance-backed candidate will remain in each constituency, with others withdrawing their nominations. The deadline for withdrawal of nomination papers is January 20, ahead of voting scheduled for February 12.

According to sources, Jamaat intends to retain 190 seats for itself and leave the remaining constituencies to its allies. Islami Andolan may receive 40 seats, NCP 30, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis 15, Khelafat Majlis seven, LDP seven, AB Party two, and BDP two seats.

Sources say Jamaat has held multiple meetings with Islami Andolan in recent days, resulting in a tentative understanding on 40 seats. However, Islami Andolan is demanding a few additional constituencies, including some where Jamaat and Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis also have strong candidates. Jamaat may concede a few more seats after assessing popularity and candidate qualifications.

NCP leaders earlier said they were assured of 30 seats when the party joined the talks, though there were later rumors that the number might be reduced. Jamaat sources, however, confirmed that NCP will be given 30 seats. NCP Convener Nahid Islam told reporters on Saturday, after meeting a European Union election observation delegation at Hotel InterContinental, that the number of seats allocated to the party would be known within a day or two.

Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis has been seeking 25 to 30 seats. In the latest round of talks, discussions centered on allocating 13 seats, though the party is pushing for more in unresolved constituencies. Jamaat sources said the party may ultimately be given 15 seats. Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis has indicated it may not withdraw candidates from disputed seats if its demands are unmet. The party’s senior Nayeb-e-Ameer, Yusuf Ashraf, said talks have progressed significantly and that the agreement could be finalized before the nomination withdrawal deadline.

LDP President Colonel (retd) Oli Ahmed will not contest the election. His son, Presidium Member Professor Omar Faruk, will run in Chattogram-14. Jamaat may allocate a total of seven seats to LDP, including this constituency.

Khelafat Majlis Ameer Maulana Abdul Basit Azad and Secretary General Ahmad Abdul Qader will contest from Habiganj-2 and Habiganj-4, respectively. Jamaat may allocate seven seats to the party, with the possibility of adding one or two more depending on discussions.

Jamaat has agreed to give AB Party two seats: Feni-2 to party Chairman Mujibur Rahman Manju and Barishal-3 to Secretary General Md Asaduzzaman Bhuiyan (Fuad). In Patuakhali-1, AB Party Senior Vice Chairman Major (retd) Abdul Wahab Minar is contesting with the Eagle symbol. Jamaat candidate Md Nazmul Ahsan has also submitted nomination papers there but may withdraw if a final agreement is reached. Overall, Jamaat may settle on three seats for AB Party, though the party has demanded more than ten.

AB Party Chairman Mujibur Rahman told Prothom Alo on Friday night that the alliance has yet to finalize a joint framework for seat-sharing and that the ongoing ambiguity is not encouraging. He said the party has already expressed dissatisfaction over the limited number of seats offered.

BDP has been allocated two seats: Mymensingh-9 for party Chairman AKM Anwarul Islam and Bhola-3 for Secretary General Nizam-ul-Haq Naim.

No final decision has yet been made regarding Bangladesh Khelafat Andolan, Bangladesh Nezame-e-Islam Party, and Jagpa. Decisions on these parties will be taken after finalizing agreements with larger partners, and each may be allocated one or two seats.

Jamaat Ameer Shafiqur Rahman returned to the country on Saturday morning after performing Umrah. Once discussions are finalized, he is expected to lead a meeting with top leaders of the allied parties.

Jamaat Assistant Secretary General Hamidur Rahman Azad told Prothom Alo that it has been difficult to convene a joint meeting due to scheduling issues among party leaders. However, he said such a meeting would take place soon, after which the seat-sharing agreement would be finalized.