The Islami Oikya Jote (IOJ) is planning to form an alliance with other Islamic parties and eminent personalities to widen its support base ahead of the upcoming parliamentary election.
The party also plans to participate in the 11th general polls by fielding independent candidates in all 300 constituencies, its top leaders said.
“We want to create a platform with some Islamic parties and prominent personalities who are now outside the political arena,” Mufti Faizullah, secretary general of majlish-e-sura, a faction of Islami Oikya Jote, said.
IOJ was part of the BNP-led 20 party alliance during the 10th general election before going it alone in January 2016 under the leadership of its chairman, Abdul Latif Nejami.
“We will place candidates in all 300 seats in upcoming election and expect that people will vote for them,” he said. “We will take part in polls under our own symbol.”
Islami Oikya Jote came into limelight in 2017 after demanding the removal of a statue of Lady Justice from outside the Supreme Court premises.
They also demanded the resignation of government ministers who supported the sculpture on the Supreme Court grounds.
IOJ also asked the government to change the education policy and it’s related law with respect to public sentiment.
“Islamic solidarity means establishment of Islamic rule in the country,” said Faizullah, who is also vice-president of Bangladesh Qawmi Madrasa Education Board.
He said IOJ will not participate in the 11th parliamentary election with the 20-party alliance, grand alliance or any other alliance.
“We have taken an initiative to form a new platform with the participation of other Islamic parties to bring a radical change in the nation,” he said.
“We also want prominent personalities in our alliance for advice, as we want to take part in the development activities of the country.”
Islami Oikya Jote began its activities in December 1990 and won one seat each in the 1991 and 1996 elections.
It joined the BNP-led four party alliance in January 1999 and secured four seats from the BNP-led 20 party alliance in 2001.
According to the Election Commission, IOJ was registered as a political party in November 2008.