After polls, Jamaat-e-Islami alliance debates future role

With the general election done and dusted, attention is shifting from the ballot box to the shape of opposition politics and, in particular, to the future of the Jamaat-e-Islami-led electoral alliance.

Within political circles, discussions are under way over whether the 11-party bloc assembled ahead of the polls should survive beyond election day, and if so, in what form.

Jamaat has already placed the issue before its executive committee, proposing that the alliance be converted into a coordinated opposition platform inside parliament, according to party sources.

Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis, one of Jamaat’s partners, has signalled support for continuity, saying the coalition will continue to operate under the banner of the 11-party Oikko Jote, suggesting there is no immediate appetite for dissolution.

The election and referendum were held on Thursday, with results declared for 297 of 299 seats.

The 11-party alliance secured 77 seats in total, including a record 68 won by Jamaat.

Among its partners, the National Citizen Party (NCP) won 6 seats, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis won 2, and Khelafat Majlis won 1.

The alliance was formally launched on Jan 16, weeks before polling, under Jamaat’s leadership. Islami Andolan Bangladesh later withdrew, contested independently, and won a single seat.

The Islami Andolan later withdrew from the alliance, contested separately, and won one seat.

After the elections, Jamaat, NCP, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis, and Khelafat Majlis are set to sit in parliament as opposition parties.

Among the alliance partners, Jamaat, led by Shafiqur Rahman, won the highest number of seats, followed by the NCP led by Nahid Islam.

Both leaders were elected to parliament, raising questions about whether they will assume new political roles.

In an interview with Reuters on Feb 6, BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman ruled out the possibility of forming a consensus government with Jamaat.

Having won an absolute majority in the election, BNP is now set to form the next administration alone.

There has been no formal initiative from BNP to include any partner of the Jamaat alliance in the cabinet.