As the 13th National Parliamentary election approaches, the National Citizen Party (NCP) has fallen into crisis over efforts to reach a seat-sharing arrangement with Jamaat-e-Islami.
A section of the party’s central leadership has reacted strongly. One member of the party’s key policy-making forum, the Political Council, has already submitted a resignation letter.
After the issue of understanding with Jamaat became largely finalised, Tasnim Jara announced her withdrawal from the party on Saturday evening. She had been a senior joint member secretary and a member of the Political Council.
Earlier, on Thursday, Mir Arshadul Haque, known as a leading figure of the Jamaat-opposed faction within the NCP, also resigned from the party.
On Saturday evening, 30 party leaders submitted a memorandum to NCP convener Nahid Islam expressing their “principled objections regarding a potential alliance”.
In the memorandum, they stated that any form of alliance with Jamaat-e-Islami would weaken the NCP’s moral position and have long-term negative effects on its political credibility.
Such an alliance would create confusion and disappointment among many party activists and supporters, particularly among the younger generation and large sections of the general public who support a new trend in politics. It would also undermine the NCP’s own centrist political agenda.
The NCP was launched on 28 February, advocating “centrist politics”. When discussions surrounding the 13th parliamentary election began, the party initially started talks with the BNP on seat-sharing from October last year.
Addressing Nahid Islam, the 30 leaders urged that a clear stance be adopted against entering into any political alliance with Jamaat-e-Islami. They said, “We believe that strategy should be determined on the basis of principles. Principles should not be sacrificed for tactical reasons.”
Among the signatories to the letter are NCP joint convener Khaled Saifullah, Nusrat Tabassum, joint member secretary Mushfiq-us-Salehin, SM Saif Mostafiz, joint chief organiser Sadia Farzana Dina, joint chief coordinator Abdullah Al Faisal, Northern region organiser Dyuti Aranya Chowdhury and members Tawhid Tanzim and Syeda Nilima Dola.
The NCP was launched on 28 February, advocating “centrist politics”. When discussions surrounding the 13th parliamentary election began, the party initially started talks with the BNP on seat-sharing from October last year.
According to multiple relevant sources, the NCP’s top leadership held several direct and indirect discussions with senior BNP leaders. However, no agreement was ultimately reached due to differences over demands and expectations.
In efforts to reach seat-sharing arrangements with the BNP and Jamaat, the name of the AB Party has also been mentioned. However, the alliance’s other partner, the Rashtra Sanskar Andolan, is unwilling to align with either Jamaat or the BNP.
There were also efforts to hold direct talks with BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman after his return to the country, but this did not materialise.
Meanwhile, with the idea of forming a separate alliance outside both the BNP and Jamaat, initiatives were taken to establish an independent centrist alliance.
There were attempts to include the Ganatantra Mancha in this initiative. Eventually, an alliance was formed comprising only the NCP, AB Party and the Bangladesh Rashtra Sanskar Andolan. This three-party alliance was launched on 7 December under the name “Gonotantrik Sanskar Jote”.
However, in trying to balance electoral calculations, the NCP began to prioritise seat-sharing with one of the two major parties. As the possibility of an understanding with the BNP diminished, the NCP recently entered into discussions with Jamaat-e-Islami.
As a result, the newly formed three-party alliance has also come under threat of disintegration. In these efforts to reach seat-sharing arrangements with the BNP and Jamaat, the name of the AB Party has also been mentioned.
However, the alliance’s other partner, the Rashtra Sanskar Andolan, is unwilling to align with either Jamaat or the BNP.
Agreement almost finalised
Meanwhile, two leaders from the NCP’s policy-making level have stated that the understanding with Jamaat is almost at a final stage. Speaking to Prothom Alo on Saturday afternoon, they said that discussions with the BNP had not been fruitful.
There had been talks with Jamaat at various times, but recently the discussions reached a significant stage. Considering various aspects of electoral politics, the NCP’s top leadership has, in principle, decided to proceed with an understanding with Jamaat.
An NCP leader and potential candidate in the upcoming election, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that the party’s top leadership had already informed him that the decision to reach an understanding with Jamaat was almost final.
Another relevant source said that as recently as Friday night, NCP representatives met with Jamaat’s responsible leaders in Dhaka to discuss seat-sharing, including the distribution of constituencies.
When asked about the matter, NCP member secretary Akhtar Hossain told Prothom Alo on Saturday afternoon, “Discussions between the NCP and Jamaat are ongoing, with primary emphasis on the implementation of reforms. We are talking about some political questions, necessary steps and surrounding circumstances. In addition, discussions are also being held regarding possible seat allocations.”
It is learnt that Asif Mahmud’s name has also been included as a potential candidate in the discussions regarding a possible understanding between the NCP and Jamaat.
Discussions over 30 Seats
According to party sources, the NCP initially sought 50 seats from Jamaat-e-Islami. Jamaat, however, agreed to concede 30 seats. Following discussions, the NCP largely accepted this proposal and prepared a draft list of 30 potential candidates.
Sources concerned say that, if the understanding is formally finalised, the NCP convener Nahid Islam would be given a clear run in the Dhaka–11 constituency, while the party’s member secretary Akhtar Hossain would receive support in Rangpur–4.
Among other central leaders, Hasnat Abdullah in Comilla–4, Sarjis Alam in Panchagarh–1, Ariful Islam Adeeb in Dhaka–16, Nasiruddin Patwary in Dhaka–18 and Abdul Hannan Masud in Noakhali–6 may also receive Jamaat’s backing.
Among the other constituencies where an understanding with Jamaat was close to being finalised, Tasnim Jara’s name was also in Dhaka – 9. However, Tasnim Jara resigned from the party on Saturday evening and announced that she would contest the election as an independent candidate.
At the same time, 30 party leaders submitted a memorandum to the party chief on the issue of Jamaat. Through these developments, a new crisis within the NCP over the question of an electoral understanding with Jamaat has become evident.
Asif’s name included, Mahfuz’s not
Meanwhile, a NCP leader said that discussions are ongoing regarding the possible joining of Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan to the NCP, who has resigned from the advisory council of the interim government.
On 9 November, he applied to be registered as a voter in the Dhaka–10 parliamentary constituency. On 22 December, he collected the nomination form for this seat. On Saturday, a person also collected a nomination form on his behalf from the Comilla–3 constituency.
It is learnt that Asif Mahmud’s name has also been included as a potential candidate in the discussions regarding a possible understanding between the NCP and Jamaat.
However, the name of Mahfuj Alam does not feature in these discussions. As of Saturday, there was no confirmed information on whether this recently resigned adviser will contest the election, and if so, whether he will do so under the banner of any party or as an independent candidate.
On 10 December, the NCP announced party candidates for 125 parliamentary constituencies. No NCP candidates were announced for the remaining seats.
However, a senior party leader has said that if a seat-sharing arrangement with Jamaat is reached, the NCP will not field candidates in constituencies beyond the agreed 30 seats.