Jamaat coalition faces questions over sharing 47 remaining seats, manifesto

How will the 47 seats be divided in the alliance led by Jamaat-e-Islami now that Islami Andolan Bangladesh has quit?

Although it’s called an 11-party alliance, there are only 10 parties -- will another party be brought into the coalition?

Will the alliance issue a joint manifesto after the seat-sharing is finalised?

The alliance’s senior leaders said discussions are ongoing on these matters.

Some partners are favouring a joint election manifesto, while others prefer issuing separate ones.

Of the remaining 47 seats, 10 will go to two parties, with the rest being negotiated between Jamaat and the National Citizen Party (NCP).

HOW ARE THE 47 SEATS BEING DIVIDED?

Jamaat is seen as BNP’s main rival in the parliamentary elections with the ousted Awami League unable to participate in it.

Jamaat with other Islamist parties formed a coalition to woo Islamist votes. But Islami Andolan Bangladesh left over seat-sharing disputes to contest independently.

The 11-party alliance led by Jamaat was formally launched on Thursday. Jamaat is contesting in 179 seats as the alliance partner, followed by NCP contesting in 30 seats, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis in 20, Khelafat Majlis in 10, Liberal Democratic Party in seven, Amar Bangladesh Party in three, Nezam-e-Islam Party and Bangladesh Development Party in two constituencies each. Discussions on the remaining seats between Jamaat and NCP continue.

Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis chief Mamunul Haque said, “Since Islami Andolan is not joining, the 47 seats will mainly be divided among four parties. The number of seats for Jamaat, NCP, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis, and Khelafat Majlis is increasing."