Dhaka, Jan. 16 -- The Islami Andolan Bangladesh has signalled that it is preparing to chart an independent political course, distancing itself from expectations that it would rejoin an alliance led by the Jamaat-e-Islami.

Senior party figures have described a return to the Jamaat fold as "negative" and ruled out "any possibility" of aligning with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).

Instead, Islami Andolan says it plans to lead a new political bloc bringing together several Islamist organisations, with details of the proposed alliance due to be announced on Friday.

The developments come as Bangladesh prepares for the 13th parliamentary election and a referendum on Feb 12.

The Election Commission is currently resolving appeals follo...