Over 150 candidates finalized

TDS Desk

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami is preparing for the upcoming National Parliament elections by “minus” BNP, breaking the shackles of the alliance that lasted for almost 25 years. Despite giving priority to reforms in various discussions with the Interim Government, the party is making preparations for the elections from the inside. Jamaat has already finalized its candidates for more than 150 seats. These candidates are being introduced in various meetings and rallies.

However, BNP does not see the matter “negatively”. BNP’s policymakers think that the political ideals of the two parties are different – so they will do politics like them.

Jamaat-e-Islami is proceeding with two types of preparations for the upcoming elections. That is to give a “single candidate in 300 seats” and in the light of the prevailing situation at the time of the election, nominating candidates by coalition.

For this, the party has already held meetings with several religious-based political parties. Their goal is to win more seats in the elections by joining forces with these religious political parties.

When asked, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami spokesperson Advocate Matiur Rahman Akanda told the media that Jamaat has two types of preparations regarding the elections. First, Jamaat itself will field candidates in 300 seats. Secondly, when the election time comes, decisions will be made in the light of the prevailing situation. “It is not possible to say whether Jamaat will participate in the elections alone or a coalition,” he said.

Stating that the Jamaat started the election process “long ago”, Advocate Matiur Rahman Akanda said that they (Jamaat) have already “decided more than 150 candidates”. Now the candidates of Jamaat are carrying out their activities all over the country through an exchange of views and mass communication. Jamaat’s rules (parliamentary board, local level opinion, and centrally discussed decision) regarding the candidates in remaining constituencies are going on.

Those concerned say that Jamaat has started working with religious-based political parties from August 15 to form an electoral alliance. Among them, they held meetings with Charmonai Pir’s Islami Andolan, 12-Party Alliance, Zaker Party, Labour Party, Khelafat Majlis, and Faraizi Movement.

Jamaat Amir had separate discussions with the teachers and scholars of different madrasas including Maulana Mamunul Haque, secretary general of Khelafat Majlis, Hefazat-e-Islam joint secretary general Azizul Haque Islamabadi, senior Nayeb Amir Abdul Majid Atahari of Bangladesh Nizam-e-Islam Party, Bangladesh Khilafat Andolan (Part) Amir Abu Jafar Kashemi, Jamia Madania Muhtamim Moniruzzaman Kashemi, Janaseba Andolon Amir Fakhrul Islam and others.

Matiur Rahman Akanda said that they are conducting activities to participate in the election as a coalition. They have already exchanged views with some Islamic parties and top leaders including the Islamic Party, the 12-Party Alliance, and the Democratic Alliance. However, the process of forming the electoral alliance has not yet started.

Recently, in a rally in Chakaria, Cox’s Bazar, Jamaat’s Cox’s Bazar branch Amir Abdullah Al Farooq was announced as the parliamentary candidate for Chakaria-Pekua constituency by Maulana Muhammad Shahjahan, the assistant secretary general of the organization. Jamaat’s newly elected Amir of Dhaka Metropolitan North Mohammad Salim Uddin announced his candidacy for Sylhet-6 (Bianibazar-Golapganj) constituency in the next election.

BNP says that it is up to them whether the Jamaat will field a single candidate or a coalition in the upcoming parliamentary elections. Even though it is a coalition partner, BNP has never said anything about Jamaat’s politics. Instead, Jamaat asked for help and BNP tried whatever it could. BNP will not interfere in the present situation even if they proceed as they are.

When asked, BNP Chairperson’s advisor Moazzem Hossain Alal told the media that BNP had an “electoral alliance” with Jamaat. There was no “ideological” issue. They were once in power in alliance with the BNP. At another time, it allied with the Awami League and started a movement against the BNP.

“We have seen both their forms. Now if the form of Jamaat is like that of 2001 to 2006, then we can have an electoral alliance with them. If not, the election will not be held together. They will continue as they are. We will do politics like us,” Moazzem Hossain Alal said.