B’desh: Upbeat about prospects, Jamaat expands its targets for next polls

by Salman Tareque Sakil in Dhaka Tribune, Nov 29, 2017 at 11:02 AM
The Jamaat-e-Islami has raised the number of party-backed candidates who would contest in constituencies across Bangladesh in the upcoming 11th parliamentary election.
The party has decided to increase the number of participating candidates from 52 to 62, based on the feedback of grassroots leadership.
Jamaat insiders told the Bangla Tribune that the party’s ‘election commission’ has already instructed aspirants to start strengthening public relations.
Insiders, however, added that the number of party-backed candidates has not been finalized as yet.
Jamaat is aware that it may not reach its target for contesting in designated constituencies if the party decides to participate in the polls as part of the BNP-led 20-party alliance.
In 2001, Jamaat contested in 31 constituencies – as part of the alliance in 30 and individually in one. In 2008, the alliance allotted 39 constituencies to Jamaat, but party candidates contested individually in four constituencies.
The four constituencies were Sirajganj, Chapainawabganj 3, Jhenaidah and Meherpur.
The Jamaat election commission has directed the party leaders not to be concerned about getting party backing in the polls, and to prepare for contesting in the upcoming election.
A source from Jamaat said only a month ago Jamaat was prepared to back 52 candidates in the polls, but now the number has gone up to 62.
The party has also made the initial decision to back eight candidates in Comilla region, the source said.
The party source also added that acting secretary general Maulana ATM Masum is the chairman of the Jamaat election committee, and Professor Izzat Ullah is serving as the secretary.
The committee is responsible for nominating candidates for the upcoming election based on feedback from the grassroots level.
Speaking about Jamaat’s current activities, the party’s Executive Council member Maulana Abdul Halim said:
“Jamaat is busy with its organisational activities. We are preparing for the 11th general polls as we are a democratic party.”
Earlier, in a meeting among the senior leaders of BNP and its alliance members on November 16, Abdul Halim recommended that BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia launch public relations drive and formulate strategies centering the upcoming polls.
Speaking to the correspondent, several Jamaat leaders echoed the same opinion voiced by Maulana Halim.
A number of Jamaat sources also confirmed that the central leaders of the party have visited their constituencies in the last six months.
Majlis-e-Shura member Maulana Habibur Rahman said: “Jamaat is yet to finalize how many constituencies the party will contest in, and how many candidates it will back. The party policy makers will make the decision ahead of the polls.”http://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/politics/2017/11/29/upbeat-prospects-jamaat-expands-targets-next-polls/