As different political parties have begun election campaigns, Islamic Front Bangladesh leaders say they want to join the ruling Awami League-led 14-party alliance.
“We are going to join the 14-party alliance. We had several meetings with Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader and alliance coordinator Mohammad Nasim regarding this. We will be joining the alliance soon,” Islamic Front Chairman Syed Bahadur Shah Mojaddedi told Bangla Tribune on Wednesday.
However, a central leader of the ruling party, asking not to be named, said: “We recommend that religion-based political parties form a separate alliance. So there is little possibility for Islamic Front to join the 14-party alliance.”
Awami League Joint General Secretary Abdur Rahman told Bangla Tribune that he was unaware of the matter.
Formed on December 21, 1990 with the goal to establish a society based on Sunni philosophy, Islamic Front is linked to Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat. The party participated in the 2001 parliamentary elections but did not win any seat.
Islamic Front also denounces Jamaat-e-Islami for distorting Islam. They extended support towards the Awami League in 2006.
Ruling ally Bangladesh Tariqat Federation Secretary General MA Awal said: “No discussion was held about Islamic Front’s joining the alliance. We do not know anything about it. Opinions from the allies must be sought if a new party is inducted into the alliance.”
Political parties usually become active to form an alliance before elections. Now several religion-based parties are willing to join the ruling alliance. Sources said the religion-based parties had been encouraged to join Jatiya Party chief HM Ershad-led Jatiya Oikko Jote.
Former military strongman Ershad, who is also a special envoy to the prime minister, is set to announce the alliance of Islamic parties on Sunday.
“We will not join the Ershad-led alliance. We want to join the 14-party alliance,” Mojaddedi said when asked.
However, Islamic Front Secretary General MA Mannan told Bangla Tribune: “It will be decided on Thursday whether we will join the Ershad-led alliance or the 14-party alliance.”
The Awami League-led alliance had 11 members, including seven leftist groups, when it was formed in late 1998.
In 2004, the 11-party alliance started its nine-point campaign together with the Awami League, National Awami Party (Mozaffar) and Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal. Later it became a 14-party alliance. Tariqat Federation joined the alliance before the 2014 elections.
Thursday, March 20, 2025
