As the National Citizen Party (NCP) decided to join a coalition led by Jamaat-e-Islami before the upcoming Bangladesh general elections, internal disagreements have arisen. The party’s leader, Nahid Islam, clarified that this alliance is solely for electoral purposes and not due to shared ideologies. Initially planning to run independently in all 300 parliamentary constituencies, the NCP altered its strategy following the killing of Sharif Osman Hadi, citing the changed political landscape in Bangladesh.
Despite assertions from NCP leaders that the coalition is based on common political goals rather than ideological alignment, the move has caused significant unrest within the party. Approximately 30 senior NCP members have expressed opposition to partnering with Jamaat-e-Islami, with two top leaders resigning in protest. The dissenting leaders argue that the alliance contradicts the NCP’s principles and its stance on democratic values and the July Uprising.
The NCP, which emerged from the Students Against Discrimination movement, transitioned into a political entity under the leadership of Muhammad Yunus during the interim government. Critics within the party highlight Jamaat-e-Islami’s historical controversies, including its opposition to Bangladesh’s independence and alleged involvement in atrocities during the 1971 Liberation War, as incompatible with the NCP’s core beliefs. The internal rift has widened, with key figures distancing themselves from the NCP over the alliance decision.
Bangladesh is gearing up for the upcoming elections scheduled for February next year.
