Published : 16 Jan 2026, 08:30 AM
Updated : 28 Aug 2026, 01:31 AM
The Islami Andolan Bangladesh has signalled that it is preparing to chart an independent political course, distancing itself from expectations that it would rejoin an alliance led by the Jamaat-e-Islami.
Senior party figures have described a return to the Jamaat fold as “negative” and ruled out "any possibility" of aligning with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).
Instead, Islami Andolan says it plans to lead a new political bloc bringing together several Islamist organisations, with details of the proposed alliance due to be announced on Friday.
The developments come as Bangladesh prepares for the 13th parliamentary election and a referendum on Feb 12.
The Election Commission is currently resolving appeals following the scrutiny of nomination papers, with the final list of candidates due on Jan 20.
Eight religion-based parties converged in the alliance with the demand for parliamentary polls under the proportional representation (PR) system and a referendum before the general election.
The parties were Jamaat-e-Islami, Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Khelafat Majlis, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis, Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon, Bangladesh Nezam-e-Islam Party, Jatiya Ganatantrik Party (JAGPA), and Bangladesh Development Party (BDP).
As the parliamentary elections approached, the alliance began taking shape, with the National Citizen Party (NCP), Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), and AB Party announcing their entry into the coalition around the time of nomination submission.
Media reports have highlighted differences over seat-sharing among the coalition partners ever since. These disputes appeared irreconcilable on Thursday when the alliance announced candidates for 253 seats, pointedly excluding Islami Andolan.
Speaking on behalf of the alliance, Jamaat’s Nayeb-e-Ameer Syed Abdullah Muhammad Taher outlined the distribution of seats among the coalition partners.
Under the arrangement, Jamaat will contest in 179 seats, the NCP 30 seats, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis 20 seats, Khelafat Majlis 10 seats, the LDP seven seats, Amar Bangladesh Party (AB Party) three seats, Bangladesh Nezame Islam Party two seats, and the Bangladesh Development Party two seats.
Seat allocations for the Jatiya Ganatantrik Party (JGP) and Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon have not yet been finalised.
The issue of seat-sharing with Islami Andolan Bangladesh also remains undecided, the alliance said.
Islami Andolan quickly countered this narrative. During the Jamaat briefing, the party issued a statement announcing its own press conference for Friday afternoon at its Purana Paltan headquarters.
Islami Andolan quickly countered this narrative. During the Jamaat briefing, the party issued a statement announcing its own press conference for Friday afternoon at its Purana Paltan headquarters.
Asked if there was any chance of returning to the Jamaat-led alliance, Islami Andolan Organising Secretary Shah Iftekhar Tarik said the prospect was "negative".
Over the formation of a new coalition or a potential link with the BNP, he added: "The matter of forming a coalition will be clarified at tomorrow's media briefing. There is no possibility of reaching an understanding with the BNP."
Another senior leader within the organisation suggested a new alignment was imminent, noting: "Several other Islamic parties are looking to join us; something may be formed with them."
