DHAKA, July 19 (Reuters) – An initiative by Bangladesh’s Islamist group Hefazat-e-Islam to unite several political parties roaoted in the country’s Qaumi madrasa network has fueled speculation over the future of the opposition alliance led by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami.
Political observers say the move, if successful, could affect the composition of the Jamaat-led 11-party alliance, as several Qaumi-oriented parties are currently members of the bloc.
Leaders of the Qaumi-based parties confirmed that discussions are taking place but said no decision has been made to leave the alliance or form a new political front.
“There is no discussion at this stage about leaving the alliance or creating a new coalition,” leaders involved in the talks said.
Jamaat-e-Islami Assistant Secretary General Hamidur Rahman Azad alleged that both the government and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) were attempting to weaken the opposition alliance.
“We believe there are efforts to create divisions within the alliance, but we do not think these attempts will succeed,” Azad said.
BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi rejected the allegation, saying there was no conspiracy targeting the Jamaat-led bloc.
“If the BNP is able to build political understanding with other parties through democratic political engagement, there is nothing wrong with that,” Rizvi said.
The alliance was formed ahead of Bangladesh’s parliamentary election in February under the slogan “One Box Policy,” bringing together several Islamist parties, including Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Andolan Bangladesh, to coordinate electoral support.
It later expanded into an 11-party coalition after the National Citizen Party (NCP), Amar Bangladesh Party (AB Party) and the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) joined.
Before the election, the alliance participated in demonstrations demanding implementation of the July Charter and political reforms. It suspended those protests after the election schedule was announced and shifted its focus to campaigning.
The discussions initiated by Hefazat-e-Islam come as Bangladesh’s opposition parties continue to reassess alliances and electoral strategies following the parliamentary election.
