Dhaka, Jan 17 (NationPress) With the Bangladesh general elections just around the corner, cracks have appeared within the radical Islamist coalition led by Jamaat-e-Islami. This follows the announcement by Islami Andolon Bangladesh (IAB) that it will exit the alliance, according to local media reports.

Expressing their desire to engage in politics without relying on external support, the IAB declared on Friday their intention to contest independently in 268 of the 300 available constituencies.

This announcement came shortly after the Jamaat-led coalition revealed seat allocations for 253 constituencies during a press briefing in Dhaka, which IAB chose to boycott, despite being a key member of the alliance.

IAB Spokesperson Gazi Ataur Rahman addressed the media at the party’s central office in Purana Paltan, stating that the party felt “deprived of justice” in the seat-sharing negotiations and accused the coalition of straying from Islamic principles, as reported by Bangladesh’s prominent newspaper, The Daily Star.

When questioned about the departure over seat distribution, Rahman noted, “The number of seats can fluctuate. However, our self-respect was compromised during the arrangement, which is a significant reason for our decision.”

He further criticized Jamaat for exhibiting “authoritarian” behavior during the discussions, claiming that his party was “humiliated” in the process.

“Today, we must announce that out of the 270 constituencies where Islami Andolon Bangladesh submitted nominations, two were rejected on appeal. The candidacies of the remaining 268 are valid, and we have instructed all candidates to participate in the elections. None will withdraw,” The Daily Star quoted Rahman.

Local media reports indicate that Jamaat and IAB, two of the largest Islamist organizations in Bangladesh, have been negotiating for over three months to solidify Islamist votes under the Jamaat 11 party alliance.

IAB has been a part of the Jamaat-led alliance, and tensions regarding seat allocations have escalated in recent days.

Previously, despite lengthy discussions, the negotiations faltered just before the December 29, 2025, nomination deadline, leading both parties to submit nominations for numerous seats, which caused unrest within the alliance.

Election Commission data reveals that Jamaat submitted nominations in 276 constituencies on the final day, while Islami Andolon filed in 268.

Bangladesh's elections, scheduled for February 12, are taking place amidst rising political tensions and widening rifts among party factions.