The country's Qaumi Madrasa-based Islamic parties are trying to reach a larger 'electoral consensus' with the Jamaat-e-Islami, a political party that opposed the 1971 Liberation War. Although it is shown as an attempt to form an electoral alliance on the part of some party, the major parties are seeking 'compromise'. A glimpse of what this compromise will look like has been obtained by talking to top leaders of several parties.
While talking to Bengali Tribune, the top leaders of various parties including Jamaat, Islami Andolan, Bangladesh Khilafat Majlis said that a unity effort process of Islamic parties is going on ahead of the elections. Jamaat said that the matter is under discussion.
Influential leaders of Islamic parties say, 'After the changed situation, the demands of the common people at the field level should be the united platform of the Islamist parties. Three parties have ruled the country for 53 years of independence. People have seen three groups. Now wants to see Islamists in power. They are disappointed by the performance of the big teams.
One of the leaders of a religious party commented, 'Keeping in mind the upcoming National Assembly elections of Bangladesh, the Islamic Movement of Bangladesh has started working on whether Islamic and like-minded political parties can be brought on 'one stage' or 'unified platform'. In the meantime, a meeting of Islamist parties has also been held at Jatrabari Big Madrasah. There, the top leaders of the party, including the Amir, Nayeb Amir, were present and made a strong proposal to form an alliance.
'From now on we are all for each other. Everyone will be united like a glass wall, inshallah. If you have suffered a little because of any past behavior, I apologize to you for the sake of Allah. I hope you will forgive us.' After the fall of the government last year, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman.
Dr. Before and after Shafiqur Rahman's call, Jamaat held meetings with various political parties for several days. In these meetings, the following parties of Islamic politics included Khilafat Majlis and Faraiji movement, shrine-based organization Zaker Party, Secretary General of Jamiat Ulamae Islam Bangladesh Maulana Mohiuddin Ikram as a partner party of 12-party alliance, Chairman of Islami Oikyajot (part) Advocate Abdur Rakib, Secretary General of Islami Oikyajot Abdul Karim.
In these meetings, Jamaat initiated the discussion of bringing the religious parties on a united platform. Qaumi madrasa scholars and politicians are also invited as part of this process. The party's central leaders then continued to insist on building unity among religious parties in return for any concessions.
Jamaat Secretary General Prof Mia Golam Parwar told Bengali Tribune on Monday (January 13) evening when asked, 'The matter is under discussion. No electoral roadmap has yet been released by the interim government. If these come to light, then it can be said about its form.'
Amir Maulana Muhiuddin Rabbani, Naib of Hefazat Islam, has recently joined politics. He said to the Nayeb Amir Bangla Tribune of the Bangladesh Khilafat Majlis led by Maulana Mamunul Haque, 'It seems that the election will be a compromise or alliance. What I hear sporadically, I understand.'
In response to the question whether the Jamaat will remain in this unity, Muhyuddin Rabbani said, 'It will be with the Jamaat. A unity among our Qaumi Madrasah-based political parties is on the verge. It is not yet time to tell what will happen in the end. These topics will come after the government releases the election roadmap.
According to a leader of the Islamic movement, there can be an electoral compromise rather than an electoral alliance. Since no one is or will be using anyone's symbol, the symbol will remain partisan. But there can be constituencies, one Islamist in one seat.
An important leader of the party told the Bangla Tribune that in the situation after August 5, we must forget the differences and work together. Keeping this in mind, Islami Andolan Bangladesh started exchanging views and communication with Islamic like-minded political parties and prominent people. Discussions were held with the leaders of Bangladesh Khilafat Majlis, Khilafat Majlis, Jamiat Ulamae Islam Bangladesh, Nezame Islam Party, Islami Oikyajot Ekansh, Mass Rights Council, AB Party, Bangladesh Muslim League. The main goal of which is the next parliamentary election. Islam, country and humanity – the Islamic movement is advancing to form a coalition based on these three.
In this regard, Islami Andolan Bangladesh Assistant Secretary General Maulana Ahmad Abdul Qayyum told Bangla Tribune, 'Islami Andolan, known as a big Islamist party outside the alliance and grand alliance, is quite active in Bangladesh politics. They are discussing the issue of merging with the rest, except for a few Islamic parties that were with the Awami League. There has already been an exchange of views with some parties. Discussions are ongoing.'
Maulana Ahmad Abdul Qayyum said, 'The whole matter will depend on how the election process goes. But the realization of the Islamic organizations is that the people of the field want us to be united. Discussions are underway to take this into consideration. But what will happen in which format, will depend on how the election goes.'
There are more than a hundred name-and-name Islamic parties and alliances in the country. When elections come, these alliances become active. Other Sufi and Tariqa groups outside the Qaumi Madrasa have not yet come up with any plans for the elections.
Among the Qaumi Madrasa-based groups, a large group is trying to keep some smaller groups out of the Islamic alliance. In this case, what will stand in the end, it is still not clear, the influential leaders of several parties think.
