Jamaat to wait for IAB until finalising seat-sharing: Zubair

Jamaat-e-Islami Assistant Secretary General Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair said on Saturday that his party will continue to wait for Islami Andolan Bangladesh (IAB) until the deadline for nomination withdrawals.

Speaking to journalists after an urgent executive council meeting at Jamaat's central office in Magbazar, Zubair discussed the alliance and broader election strategies.

"Within the 10-party alliance, 47 seats remain vacant. The liaison committee is overseeing this, and once the agreement is finalised, it will be announced to the media," he said. He added, "The door for reconciliation remains open to everyone."

Zubair also said that Jamaat-e-Islami has prepared an electoral manifesto, which will be released at an opportune time ahead of the polls. He confirmed that formal campaigning will begin on January 22 from Dhaka and continue with tours to various districts across the country, involving the party ameer and other central leaders.

Responding to reporters' questions, he said, "Today's meeting is discussing 19 key issues," adding that the session would continue until 10:00 pm.

Meanwhile, Maulana Mamunul Haque, ameer of Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis, said there is no longer any possibility of a seat-sharing agreement with Islami Andolan. He denied that any third-party influence led to Islami Andolan's withdrawal, stating, "This situation arose due to a lack of understanding. It will not have a significant impact on the vote in the field."