NCP leaders oppose seat-sharing with Jamaat-led bloc

At least 30 leaders of the central committee of the National Citizen Party (NCP) have raised strong objections to any potential political alliance or seat-sharing arrangement with the Jamaat-e-Islami-led eight-party bloc.

In a letter sent on Saturday to NCP Convener Nahid Islam, the leaders expressed their deep concern over the critical policy matter.

In the letter, the leaders cited the NCP's declared ideology, its historical responsibility following the July mass uprising, and democratic ethical standards as the basis of their objection.

                      Tasnim Jara

They alleged that over the past year since the July uprising, Jamaat-e-Islami and its student wing Islami Chhatra Shibir were engaged in divisive political activities, espionage and sabotage within other parties, attempted to falsely implicate the NCP in various incidents, and misinformation campaigns surrounding student union elections involving Bangladesh Democratic Students' Council (BAGCHAS) and later Chhatra Shakti.

The letter further accused Jamaat's online networks of attempting character assassination of female members of the NCP and its student organisation, warning that the growing use of religion in politics could lead to what they termed 'social fascism,' posing a serious threat to the country's future.

The leaders also pointed to Jamaat-e-Islami's political history, particularly its anti-independence role during the 1971 Liberation War, its alleged involvement in genocide, and other wartime crimes, stating that the party's position on these issues fundamentally contradicts Bangladesh's democratic spirit and the core values of the NCP.

According to the letter, any form of alliance with Jamaat-e-Islami would weaken the NCP's moral standing and have long-term negative consequences for its political credibility.

The signatories noted that Convener Nahid Islam and Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary had repeatedly announced plans to contest all 300 parliamentary seats independently.

They said the party had sold around 1,500 nomination forms and already declared 125 candidates.

Entering an alliance for a small number of seats at this stage, they argued, would amount to a betrayal of the people.

The leaders further warned that whenever news of a possible alliance surfaced in the media, a significant number of supporters, including grassroots activists and organisers, began withdrawing their support.

Losing backing from moderate voters and those seeking a new brand of politics would severely undermine the party's centrist support base, they cautioned.

The letter urged the party leadership to take a clear and firm stance against forming any political alliance with Jamaat-e-Islami, stressing that political strategy should be guided by principles, not the other way around.

Among the signatories are NCP Joint Convener Khaled Saifullah, Joint Member Secretary Mushfiq Us Saleheen, Central Organiser Arman Hossain, Joint Convener Nusrat Tabassum, Joint Chief Coordinator Khan Md Mursaleen, and Organiser Rafiqul Islam Aini.

Meanwhile, NCP Senior Joint Member Secretary Dr Tasnim Jara resigned from the party on Saturday.

In a message sent to the NCP's WhatsApp central group, Tasnim Jara wrote: "Dear comrades, I have resigned from the party.