The National Citizens Party (NCP) has reached an electoral agreement with eight parties, including Jamaat-e-Islami. The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) led by Col. (retd.) Oli Ahmed has also joined this agreement.
Jamaat Ameer Shafiqur Rahman made the announcement at an emergency press conference at the National Press Club in Dhaka on Sunday afternoon. He said that when Bangladesh is at a difficult juncture in its national life, eight parties have been working for a long time with the commitment to build a corruption-free and just Bangladesh to take the country forward. Two more parties have joined them. LDP and NCP led by Col. (Retd.) Oli Ahmed. The eight parties were together. And two more parties have joined them.
Stating that the meeting with the NCP ended a while ago, the Jamaat Ameer said, they (NCP leaders) did not get the time and opportunity to come to this press conference. Apart from this, they will hold a meeting within the party. NCP convener Nahid Islam has directly spoken to the leaders of eight parties. They have informed the parties of their decision. They will hold another press conference and inform them of their decision.
Stating that 10 parties have come together in a strong electoral agreement, Shafiqur Rahman said, the parties have determined 300 seats (candidates) across the country through discussions among themselves. Two parties have reached the very last stage. Many other parties were interested in the seat agreement. However, at the moment, it has become difficult to involve them in this process. Despite the interest of many, they cannot be involved. For this, he expressed his regret to the leaders of the parties.
Regarding the seat agreement, the Jamaat Ameer said, "Our seat agreement is almost complete. We hope that we will be able to resolve the minor issues that remain after filing the nominations, God willing, through discussions. Please pray for us. There will be no problem in this regard. We are very confident in this regard."
Noting that there is less than a month and a half left for the national election, Shafiqur Rahman said that the parties are committed to making the election fair and acceptable. The parties want the election to be held on the date that has been set without any manipulation.
Stating that the government and the Election Commission must fulfill the responsibility entrusted to them in organizing the elections, the Jamaat Ameer said, they still have a lot to do. A level playing field has not yet been created for all parties. It is the responsibility of the government and the Election Commission to create it. They should rise above any kind of greed, fear, and any kind of favoritism towards anyone and fulfill their responsibilities. The nation expects that from them. The nation will not accept any exception to this. People were not able to vote in the last three elections. If anyone wants to take away the right to vote in the next election, it will not be tolerated.
At the press conference, a journalist wanted to know how the seating arrangement was done in the compromise. In response, the Jamaat Ameer said, 'You will know. You will know the details. I am saying, we have a little left. We will clarify it for you very soon, God willing.'
Responding to a question about whether this alliance has become an electoral alliance due to the arrival of a new party, Shafiqur Rahman said, "It is a nation-building alliance. It is an electoral alliance, it is a political alliance. It is all kinds of... I mean, they say alliance and they say compromise, whatever they say, it is to cover all the purposes."
In response to the question whether these parties will be together in the future movement, the Jamaat Amir said, 'We hope that we will do it together, God willing. There will be many party programs, each of them. Then, wherever necessary on national issues, we will do it together, God willing.'
In response to another question, Shafiqur Rahman said, "No single party will distribute seats here. Seats will be given to everyone on the basis of fairness. Everyone will give seats to everyone. No specific party is giving seats to anyone here."
LDP Chairman Col. (retd.) Oli Ahmed was seated to the left of the Jamaat Ameer at the press conference, but he did not make any statement.
The press conference was moderated by Amir Mamunul Haque of Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis. At that time, he said, "Now there are no more eight parties. With the addition of two new parties, it has become known as the 10-party electoral pact."
Also present at the press conference were Islami Andolan Bangladesh Presidium member Ashraf Ali Akon, Khilafat Majlis Secretary General Ahmed Abdul Quader, Bangladesh Khilafat Andolan Nayeb Amir Mujibur Rahman Hamidi, Jatiya Ganatantrik Party (JAGPA) spokesperson Rashed Pradhan, Jamaat's representative in the Liaison Committee of Like-Minded Parties and the party's Assistant Secretary General Hamidur Rahman Azad, among others.
