Most central executive council members of the National Citizen Party (NCP) have urged the party’s high-ups to pursue an independent political path to secure the future of the organisation.
According to them, even if the party manages to secure a handful of parliamentary seats by aligning with larger parties such as BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami, it will lose its own identity, and its long-term prospects would become uncertain.
The views were expressed during a two-and-a-quarter-hour executive council meeting at the party office on Wednesday night. According to party sources, more than 32 of the 51 executive members — including Convenor Nahid Islam and Member Secretary Akhter Hossain — were present.
Separately, several senior leaders held another informal meeting on Friday to further discuss the positions aired on Wednesday.
Speaking to TIMES of Bangladesh, NCP Joint Chief Coordinator Arifur Rahman Tuhin said, “Most members at the meeting voiced opposition to forming an electoral alliance with major parties such as the BNP and Jamaat.
“Entering a coalition with larger parties could see their political labels become a burden for us in the future. However, we believe progress is possible if alliances are formed with parties outside these two.”
Recently, the NCP received preliminary registration from the Election Commission under the symbol “Shapla Koli” (water lily bud). With the 13th parliamentary election approaching, discussions regarding potential alliances and electoral strategy have intensified.
Multiple party sources say the NCP has not finalised any electoral coalition. However, the party is seeking endorsement from the BNP and Jamaat in a small number of constituencies for senior NCP leaders, highlighting its role and sacrifices during the July uprising.
Following recent media reports suggesting a possible alliance with the BNP, NCP central leaders reacted strongly, dismissing the claims as baseless.
In this context, senior party leaders have begun consulting at various levels to determine the party’s electoral direction. Wednesday’s executive council meeting was convened to gather formal opinions on the matter.
Two mid-level party leaders said the NCP wants to maintain pressure on both major parties, while some senior leaders still hope to secure BNP and Jamaat support in four or five constituencies to improve their own chances of victory.
However, a majority of mid-level and grassroots leaders have opposed this stance, expressing concern that a small group of senior figures may attempt to use the party for personal political gain.
As an alternative, the NCP is pushing to form a new alliance outside the two major parties. It aims to create a nine-party coalition with groups including Gono Odhikar Parishad, Amar Bangladesh Party (AB Party), Ganosamhati Andolan, Nagorik Oikka and other members of the Ganatantra Manch.
Most NCP leaders are not in favour of excluding parties that have already reached informal understandings with the BNP, arguing that they should not be left out of the proposed alliance.
