As the thirteenth national parliamentary elections approach, the political landscape in Bangladesh is witnessing a complex and often strained realignment of forces. A burgeoning controversy regarding seat-sharing within the informal eight-party alliance—led primarily by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Islami Andolan Bangladesh, and Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis—has become a central talking point. Rumours of significant internal friction have intensified following discussions to include the newly formed National Citizen Party (NCP), led by student leaders from the July Revolution, within the electoral fold. While senior leaders from the constituent parties officially dismiss reports of a “breakdown” as politically motivated exaggerations, insiders admit that the mathematical reality of their collective demands presents a formidable hurdle for the alliance’s liaison committee.
The primary challenge facing the coalition is the sheer volume of seat demands, which has created a numerical paradox. Despite the National Parliament consisting of only 300 general seats, the combined aspirations of the alliance partners have reached a staggering total of 348. This discrepancy highlights the ambitious nature of the constituent parties as they attempt to capitalise on the post-uprising political vacuum and the absence of the Awami League from the 12 February 2026 polls. Jamaat-e-Islami, which has already announced candidates for all 300 seats, is reportedly aiming to contest between 180 and 200, while Islami Andolan Bangladesh has staked a claim to 120. When the demands of the other six partners—including the Khelafat movement and JAGPA—are added to the equation, the total far exceeds the available parliamentary space.
The Numerical Paradox: Claims vs. Parliamentary Reality
| Political Entity | Claimed Seats | Rationale / Context |
| Jamaat-e-Islami | 180 – 200 | Strong grassroots; candidates already active in 300 seats. |
| Islami Andolan Bangladesh | 120 | Claims high popularity based on internal field surveys. |
| Khelafat Majlis & Others | 100 | Includes BDP, Jagpa, and Nezame Islam Party. |
| Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis | 30 (Min.) | Part of the 100-seat block; expects significant weightage. |
| National Citizen Party (NCP) | 50 (Proposed) | Emerging force of student leaders; seeks strategic entry. |
| Total Alliance Demand | 348+ | Exceeds the 300 available seats in Jatiya Sangsad. |
Despite these tensions, the public rhetoric remains one of unity and shared purpose. Professor Ashraf Ali Akon of Islami Andolan Bangladesh maintained that the parties are striving to transcend narrow interests for a greater cause, while Dr Syed Abdullah Mohammed Taher of Jamaat-e-Islami indicated that discussions are nearing a satisfactory conclusion. However, sources within the Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis reveal a more nuanced picture of “simmering discontent” among top leadership, who fear that the inclusion of new partners like the NCP will further dilute their electoral share. To resolve the impasse, the alliance has agreed to rely on independent field surveys to assess the “winnability” of candidates, with a final decision expected within the coming days.
Dr A.H.M. Hamidur Rahman Azad, Assistant Secretary General of Jamaat-e-Islami, noted that while the current demands are mathematically impossible, they represent the “aspirational starting point” of the negotiation process. He emphasised that the parties are approaching the final rounds of talks with an “open mind,” intending to honour the “One Box Policy” and the push for Proportional Representation (PR) that brought them together during the anti-authoritarian movement. As the election schedule looms, the alliance’s ability to prune a 348-seat wishlist into a viable 300-seat manifesto will be the ultimate test of their cohesion and their ability to present a unified front to the Bangladeshi electorate.