Four major alliances are being discussed widely in political arena as the 13th National Parliament Election approaches and efforts are underway to form alliances.
There is tension regarding the expansion of alliances, and “seat-sharing” negotiations are ongoing. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has allocated several constituencies for like-minded parties.
However, both BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami are actively working to keep Islamic parties on their side.
According to political analysts, there would be four major alliances and these are. They said: “BNP is moving towards forming a broader alliance with its like-minded parties and allies. In particular, the party is engaging with groups that believe in the values of the Liberation War and Islamic principles.”
Talking about three other alliances, they said that although Jamaat has not officially announced the formation of an electoral alliance, it is working to unite religion-based political parties on a common platform.
Ganatantra Mancha and Left Democratic Alliance are trying to form separate all and trying to get their potential candidates ready.
On the other hand, discussions are underway regarding the formation of new political parties by the National Citizens' Committee and Anti-discrimination Student Movement. The name of party and convening committee of this new party may be announced within this month.
However, it has not yet been decided whether the party will contest the parliamentary elections independently or as part of an alliance.
BNP’s National Standing Committee member Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku said that they [BNP and its party men] aim to form a “national government” through consensus after the elections with the parties that were active in the movement against the fascist government. To achieve this, they are maintaining regular communication and holding meetings with these parties.
Regarding the expansion of Ganatantra Mancha, Zonayed Saki, the chief Coordinator of Ganosanhati Andolan, said that in light of the changing reality, they will determine their political objectives and move forward. He emphasized that ahead of the elections, they will work on new political arrangements, state system reforms, and institutional restructuring, employing various political strategies.
Additionally, they will continue efforts to expand alliances and build broader public unity.
Dr Sajedul Haque Rubel, Secretary of the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), said that their party has long been working to establish a broader leftist bloc or an alternative leftist force beyond the Awami League and BNP-Jamaat influence in national politics and elections.
They are also trying to unite patriotic and progressive parties beyond the leftist sphere. He mentioned that, alongside the Left Democratic Alliance, they have conducted joint programs with Bangladesh JSD, the Anti-Fascist Left Alliance, and Oikya NAP.
Ahead of the upcoming election, they are striving to build a broader alliance of leftist and progressive forces, with plans to contest all 300 constituencies.
Regarding the formation of an electoral alliance among Islamic parties, A H M Hamidur Rahman Azad, Assistant Secretary General of Jamaat, said that these parties maintained communication with Jamaat even during past political movements.
He emphasized that their unity was formed through the struggle against fascism and oppression, uniting patriotic, democratic, and Islamic forces. Although no formal announcement has been made, the process of forming an alliance has already begun. Discussions are ongoing about how different parties will align or reach compromises, and once the election roadmap is declared, everything will be finalized.
On whether the new political party will join any alliance, Mushfiq-Us-Saleheen, National Citizens' Committee member, stated that this decision will be made after the party's official launch and once the electoral roadmap is in place. Currently, this issue is not on their agenda.
Translated by Afsar Munna
