The Bangladesh Labour Party has joined the Jamaat-e-Islami–led electoral alliance, bringing the 10-party front back to an 11-party alliance.

Earlier, Islami Andolan Bangladesh had withdrawn from the alliance.

The announcement was made at a press conference this evening in Moghbazar, Dhaka, addressed by Jamaat-e-Islami Assistant Secretary General ATM Masum.

Labour party Chairman Mostafizur Rahman Iran, Jamaat Assistant Secretary General and head of the party’s central publicity department Ehsanul Mahbub Zubayer, and other alliance leaders were present.

Speaking at the press conference, ATM Masum said Bangladesh Labour Party had joined the alliance following discussions with the central leaders of the 10-party front, calling the development “a matter of great fortune.”

Mostafizur Rahman said the party joined the alliance with the aim of bringing about “meaningful change” and building an “Insaaf-based Bangladesh.”

“We want to realise the aspirations of the Liberation War and the July mass movement,” he said.

He added that Bangladesh Labour Party had worked alongside Jamaat for nearly two decades in the former BNP-led 18-party alliance and remained committed to principles and ethics.