Islami Andolan Bangladesh, led by the Pir of Charmonai, has confirmed that it will not return to the Jamaat-e-Islami-led 11-party electoral alliance. The party had earlier announced on January 16 that it would contest 268 constituencies independently. The clarification came from the party’s organizational secretary, Ifthekhar Mahmud Tarek, who stated that there is no possibility of rejoining the alliance and that the party will proceed with its own electoral symbol.

Following Islami Andolan’s withdrawal, Jamaat’s Secretary General Ahsan Mahbub Zubair said that high-level discussions were ongoing to bring the party back into the alliance. Asif Mahmud, chairman of the election management committee of another alliance member, the NCP, also expressed hope that Islami Andolan would rejoin. However, Tarek made it clear that the decision to contest alone was final and based on internal review and consensus.

The announcement ends speculation about Islami Andolan’s possible return to the alliance and sets the stage for its independent participation in the upcoming election.