Dhaka is buzzing with political drama just days before Bangladesh’s general elections. The hardline Jamaat-e-Islami-led coalition has suffered a major blow as key partner Islami Andolan Bangladesh (IAB) has walked out, citing unfair seat-sharing arrangements.
Local reports indicate that IAB announced its departure on Friday, refusing to play second fiddle in the alliance. The party plans to contest 268 out of 300 seats independently, signaling a fierce battle ahead. This split unfolded right after the coalition revealed its seat allocation for 253 constituencies during a press conference in Dhaka, which IAB had boycotted in protest.
IAB spokesperson Ghazi Ataur Rahman addressed the media at the party’s central office, slamming the deal as unjust. ‘We won’t beg for favors in politics,’ he declared, accusing the alliance of straying from core Islamic principles. Rahman highlighted how the seat-sharing process bruised the party’s dignity, with allegations of arbitrary behavior by Jamaat leaders.
The feud escalated when IAB revealed that out of 270 nominations filed, two were rejected, leaving 268 valid candidates ready to fight. ‘None will withdraw,’ Rahman asserted firmly. This comes amid heightened tensions, as both groups—Bangladesh’s largest Islamic outfits—had been negotiating for over three months to consolidate votes through an 11-party bloc.
Talks collapsed just before the December 29 nomination deadline, forcing overlapping candidacies that sowed chaos. Election Commission data shows Jamaat filed for 276 seats, while IAB submitted 268. With polls set for February 12, this rift could fragment the Islamist vote, reshaping the electoral landscape in profound ways.
Analysts warn that such infighting might benefit ruling parties, diluting opposition strength. As campaigns intensify, voters face a fragmented field, promising one of the most unpredictable elections in recent memory.