The 11-party electoral alliance led by Jamaat-e-Islami has unexpectedly canceled its planned press conference on Wednesday afternoon as internal conflicts over seat-sharing have reached a deadlock.
The alliance was set to reveal its final list of candidates for the national elections scheduled for February 12. However, AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad, the alliance coordinator and Jamaat Assistant Secretary General, informed the media that the event at the Diploma Engineers Institute was delayed due to "unavoidable reasons."
The deadlock involves the Islami Andolan Bangladesh (IAB) and Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis, both of which are reportedly threatening to exit the alliance if their seat requests are not fulfilled.
Reports suggest that IAB is asking for at least 70 seats to run independently under the "single box" strategy, while Jamaat-e-Islami is not willing to offer more than 45. At the same time, the Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis, led by Mamunul Haque, has requested 25 seats, warning that they will campaign under their own "rickshaw" symbol if their demands are not met.
"Our top decision-making body is examining all factors," stated IAB Presidium Member Professor Ashraf Ali Akon, noting that no final decision has been reached regarding the party's future in the alliance.
With 849 nomination papers already filed across the alliance for 300 constituencies, competition within the alliance is intense. Jamaat-e-Islami is leading with 276 nominations, followed closely by IAB with 268.
This current impasse presents a major obstacle to the alliance's aim of showcasing a united Islamist front.
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