11 parties ‘close to reaching seat-sharing deal’

Leaders of the 11-party alliance, including Jamaat-e-Islami, Islami Andolan Bangladesh and the National Citizen Party, say they are nearing a seat-sharing agreement after resolving most of their differences through months of negotiations.

After nearly three months of talks, alliance leaders say they are now cautiously optimistic about reaching an understanding across all 300 constituencies.

Negotiations have moved through a mix of one-on-one meetings and broader discussions, with a full meeting of all 11 parties also expected.

An agreement, they say, is likely before January 20, the deadline for withdrawing nomination papers.

Asked about the timeline, NCP Convener Nahid Islam yesterday said, “We will announce it within a day or two.”

He made the remarks while speaking to reporters after meeting a delegation of European Union election observers at a hotel in the capital.

Besides Jamaat, IAB and the NCP, the alliance includes Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish, Khelafat Majlish, Bangladesh Khelafat Andolan, Amar Bangladesh Party (AB Party), Bangladesh Nezam-e-Islam Party, Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Jatiya Ganatantrik Party (Jagpa) and Bangladesh Development Party (BDP).

The alliance initially comprised eight parties, with the NCP, LDP and AB Party joining later.

Ahsanul Mahbub Zubayer, assistant secretary general of Jamaat and a member of its election management committee, told The Daily Star, “We have more or less reached a conclusion. The announcement will be made jointly.”

Ashraful Alam, joint secretary general of Islami Andolan Bangladesh, said once candidates are finalised for specific constituencies, other aspirants would be asked to withdraw.

Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish Secretary General Maulana Jalaluddin Ahmed said, “First we sit with Jamaat, and then Islami Andolan to resolve the issues with them. After that, we may have to sit with the NCP. That’s how it’s going.”

“In some seats, Jamaat has stepped aside but Islami Andolan has not. In others, Islami Andolan agrees but the NCP does not. For one or two seats, we sometimes have to hold three or four meetings. That’s why it’s taking time,” he added, noting that his party met Jamaat as recently as last Thursday.

Sources say tensions surfaced early in the talks when Islami Andolan demanded more than 100 seats, while other parties also placed high demands. Frustrations deepened on December 28, a day before the nomination deadline, after the three new parties joined the alliance.

Senior leaders of Islami Andolan, led by the Pir of Charmonai Syed Rezaul Karim, and Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish, led by Maulana Mamunul Haque, publicly expressed “doubt and distrust” over the inclusion of the new parties, alleging that Jamaat had added them unilaterally.

With no final deal in place, Jamaat fielded candidates in 276 constituencies on December 29, the final day for filing nominations. Islami Andolan nominated candidates in 268 seats, the NCP in 44, AB Party in 53, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish in 94, and Khelafat Majlish in 68.

The move triggered the sharpest confrontation between Jamaat and Islami Andolan. An analysis shows candidates from the two parties are in direct contest in at least 240 constituencies, including several where senior leaders from both sides are running.

Sources involved in the talks say Islami Andolan has recently shown greater flexibility. Over the past few days, the two sides have reached tentative understandings in around 40 constituencies, though Islami Andolan continues to press for additional seats.

Jamaat may concede a few more seats after another round of assessments based on popularity and candidate merit.

According to Jamaat sources, the NCP is likely to be allotted around 30 seats, while LDP and Khelafat Majlish may receive seven seats each. AB Party has already been given two seats, which could rise to three, while BDP is expected to get two seats. Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish may receive up to 15 seats.

Jagpa spokesperson Rashed Pradhan also voiced optimism, saying his party is likely to be allocated at least two seats.