Bangladesh’s newly-formed National Citizen Party (NCP) is gearing up for its first national election amidst internal turmoil. The party, born from student protests in 2024, is grappling with resignations and a leadership crisis following its decision to ally with Jamaat-e-Islami. Reports indicate that key structures within the NCP have weakened, leaving a vacuum in leadership.
The NCP, set to contest the February 12 polls, is struggling with organizational fragmentation. Despite submitting nomination papers, the party lacks election-ready structures, with crucial tasks like strategy planning and manifesto drafting delayed or incomplete. This has led to at least 15 senior leaders resigning in the past two weeks, further undermining the party’s capacity.
Grassroots leaders within the NCP have expressed concerns over the resignations, highlighting the inactivity of heads and core members across various party cells. The departures have disrupted routine party operations, limiting activities to a smaller scale. With less than 40 days until the elections, the focus has shifted from detailed planning to short-term tactical execution, as acknowledged by a senior NCP leader.
