In spite of expressing misgivings about election time government, use of EVMs and deployment of army, the Islamist parties have begun work for the eleventh national parliamentary election.
Some parties have already finalized list of candidates while others are trying to go into an alliance with bigger parties.
In this aim, leaders of the Islamist parties have begun campaigning and publicity.
Chormonai Pir lead Islami Andolon Bangladesh has finalized a 300 seat candidate list. Islami Andolon rebuffed offers of entering any alliance.
The party has also asked for the deferment of voting on the belief that a conducive atmosphere for voting has not been created.
On Saturday last, Islami Andolon also held a protest rally demanding the delay in schedule declaration and to ensure favourable voting environment.
The party’s amir and pir of Chormonai, Mufti Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim, will not take part in elections.
Islami Aikkojot was in the BNP led 20 party alliance for 17 years, leaving it in December 2016. The party sent letter to AL in 2017 asking for seats and on 6 November, 12 leaders of the Islami Oikkojot went to the Gono Bhaban to take part in the dialogue with the PM.
They welcomed the declaration of schedule and nominated 278 candidates. Eventually, they gave candidates for 100 seats.
The chairman of the party, moulana Abdul Latif Nizami, says: “we will take part in election independently and won’t join any alliance.”
Within the BNP led 20 party alliance, there are Khelafat Majlish and Jamaat Ulemaye Islam. Jamaat Ulemaye is divided due to internal dissension and the candidates from both sides will be finalized after seats are allotted within the alliance.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish joined the JP led alliance on 11 August. Secretary general of the party, moulana Mahfuzul Huq, told Bangla Tribune: “our alliance with the JP is based on an election time understanding.”
Talks are underway and nothing has been finalized as yet, he added.
Khelafat Andolon is outside BNP-AL. Due to internal strife this party is divided; one section took part in dialogue at Gono Bhaban on 6 November.
The amir of another section, moulana Shah Ataullah Ibne Hafijje Huzur, said: “we will go to election on our own.”
Zaker Party wants the support of AL and its chairman, Mostafa Amir Faisal Mujaddedi took part in the 6 November dialogue at Bangabhaban. At that time, Mujaddedi said: “we are with the AL grand alliance and will remain with it in future.”
Keeping the election in front, a new 15 party Islamic Democratic Alliance was formed on 15 September and they took part in the 6 November dialogue at Bangabhaban.
Co-chairman of Islamic Democratic Alliance, M. A. Awal, said: “a process is underway to select candidates.”
The present government has played a pivotal role in development and the dissemination of Islam, he observed and emphatically stated the party’s desire to be with the government.