Meeting of Jamaat-e-Islami and 10 parties to finalize seat-sharing, Islami Andolan absent

PNN News Desk | Dhaka

Ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Election, top leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami and 10 other parties have sat in a meeting to finalize seat-sharing arrangements. The meeting began at around 11:30 a.m. on Thursday at Jamaat-e-Islami’s central office in Moghbazar, Dhaka. However, Islami Andolan Bangladesh did not participate in this much-discussed meeting, which has sparked various discussions within political circles.

Sources related to the meeting said that after prolonged discussions, a final decision regarding seat-sharing among the 10 parties may emerge. It has also been learned that the outcome of the meeting may be officially announced through a press conference later at night.

Those present at the meeting included Jamaat-e-Islami’s Nayeb-e-Ameer Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher, Assistant Secretary General and coordinator of the 11-party alliance Hamidur Rahman Azad, National Citizen Party convener Nahid Islam, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis Ameer Maulana Mamunul Haque, along with top leaders from several other parties.

When asked about the absence of Islami Andolan Bangladesh, the party’s Senior Joint Secretary General and spokesperson Gazi Ataur Rahman said that they came to know about the meeting only in the morning. Due to the short notice, it was not possible for them to prepare and participate. However, he said that discussions with Jamaat-e-Islami are still ongoing and the possibility of a seat-sharing agreement has not been completely ruled out.

Although there is some tension between Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Andolan regarding seat-sharing, both parties are keeping the door open for dialogue. In this regard, Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman, in a statement on social media, urged restraint and said it is inappropriate to make misleading comments about their fraternal organization Islami Andolan Bangladesh.

Meanwhile, Islami Andolan Bangladesh said in a statement that although there are differences of opinion on some issues, the time for a final decision has not yet come. The party said it is continuing multiparty discussions and will officially announce its decision when one is reached.

Overall, discussions on seat-sharing among Islamist parties ahead of the election are still ongoing. Political observers are closely watching which position each party ultimately takes.