Jamaat-led alliance expands to 10 parties as LDP, NCP join

In a move that has surprised many political observers, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), led by freedom fighter and long-time BNP ally Col (retd) Oli Ahmed, has joined a Jamaat-e-Islami–led electoral alliance ahead of Bangladesh’s parliamentary election scheduled for 12 February next year.

The National Citizen Party (NCP), founded by leaders of the July mass uprising, has also joined the bloc, taking the alliance’s strength to 10 parties and triggering a deep internal crisis within the student-led party.

The expanded coalition was announced on Sunday as several smaller parties continued negotiations to join the Jamaat-led front before the deadline for submitting nomination papers.

Alliance insiders said talks were ongoing with parties including the Amar Bangladesh (AB) Party and the Bangladesh Labour Party.

Some groups dissatisfied with seat-sharing arrangements offered by the BNP have been holding marathon meetings with Jamaat since Sunday morning.

Sources said the final composition of the alliance would be confirmed on Monday, the last day for filing nominations. In addition to Jamaat, LDP and NCP, the alliance includes Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis, Khelafat Majlis, Nezam-e-Islam Party, Bangladesh Khelafat Andolan, Bangladesh Development Party and Jatiya Ganatantrik Party (Jagpa).

Jamaat announcement

Jamaat Ameer Shafiqur Rahman announced the entry of the two new parties at an emergency press conference at the National Press Club in Dhaka on Sunday afternoon.

“When Bangladesh has reached a difficult turning point in national life, eight parties have been working together with the commitment to build a corruption-free Bangladesh,” he said. “Now two more parties have joined us.”

He said discussions with the NCP had concluded shortly before the press conference, adding that the party’s leaders had not been able to attend.

“The NCP convener Nahid Islam has directly spoken to the leaders of the eight parties and informed them of their decision,” Shafiqur Rahman said, adding that the NCP would hold a separate press conference to formally declare its position.

The Jamaat ameer said the 10 parties had agreed to contest all 300 parliamentary seats through mutual consultation.

“Our seat agreement is almost complete,” he said, adding, “Any remaining minor issues will be resolved through discussion after nomination papers are filed. There will be no problem.”

With less than six weeks left before polling day, he said the alliance was committed to a fair and acceptable election and wanted voting to take place on the scheduled date.

He also urged the Election Commission and the government to ensure a level playing field. “They still have a lot to do. A level playing field has not yet been created,” he said.

Asked whether the alliance would extend to future political movements, he said: “We hope that we will do it together. Wherever it is necessary on national issues, we will act jointly.” Col (Retd) Oli Ahmed was present at the press conference but did not speak. Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis Ameer Mamunul Haque moderated the event, confirming that the bloc had expanded from eight to 10 parties.

LDP breaks with BNP

LDP General Secretary Redwan Ahmed said Oli Ahmed had become disillusioned with the BNP after the party failed to meet his expectations over parliamentary seat-sharing.

The LDP had been a partner in the BNP-led simultaneous movement against the ousted Awami League government. A former BNP standing committee member, Oli Ahmed founded the LDP after quitting the party.

A decorated freedom fighter, he was among the Bengali military officers who revolted against the Pakistani army on 25 March 1971, before the formal start of the Liberation War. He was awarded the Bir Bikrom for bravery and fought under Major Ziaur Rahman in Sector 1.

NCP confirms participation

Later on Sunday, NCP Convener Nahid Islam confirmed that his party would contest the election under the Jamaat-led alliance.

Addressing a press conference at the party’s temporary office in Banglamotor, he said, “We have reached an electoral understanding with the Jamaat-led eight-party alliance. We have taken the decision to participate in the election together.”

Asked whether party leaders had agreed to the move, he said the decision had been taken through discussions at the central committee level and that a majority had supported it.

Crisis deepens inside NCP

The decision has, however, triggered a serious internal crisis within the NCP, raising the prospect of a split. Tajnuva Jabeen, a joint convener of the party, resigned on Sunday, announcing her decision in a post on her verified Facebook page.

“With a very heavy heart, I announce that I have resigned from the NCP today. I will not be able to take part in the forthcoming national election,” she wrote. On Saturday night, senior joint member secretary Tasnim Jara also resigned, saying she would contest the election as an independent candidate from Dhaka-9.

Senior Joint Convener Samantha Sharmin warned that Jamaat-e-Islami was an unreliable political partner and said any seat-sharing deal could make the NCP “pay a heavy price”.

The rift became formal on Saturday when 30 members of the NCP’s central committee wrote to convener Nahid Islam urging him to reject the alliance. The letter cited the party’s declared ideology, historical accountability related to the July mass uprising, and democratic morality.

Mushfique Us Salehin, the NCP’s joint member secretary, confirmed the development.