Highlighting its sacrifices in July uprising, National Citizen Party (NCP) is strategically seeking the backing of major political forces—BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami—for its senior leaders in the upcoming national election.
The party also has a contingency plan: if understanding with the two major parties fails, it plans to forge an alliance with groups such as the Gono Odhikar Parishad and AB Party, and members of the Ganatantra Manch platform.
In the run-up to the national election in February, NCP is maintaining a tactful position over coalition-building, refraining so far from finalising any alliance.
Although it has held discussions with the BNP about forming an electoral pact, NCP leaders prefer not to make such talks public. Instead, it aims to preserve its own “identity” while maintaining a critical tone towards both BNP and Jamaat, party sources said.
On Thursday, NCP Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary said, “We are preparing for the election independently. However, if either BNP or Jamaat supports reform, we may ally with them. Should they stand for reform in the end, we will not field candidates against senior leaders of anti-fascist parties in a few constituencies. Reports of an alliance with BNP are baseless.”
Speaking at a “Meet the Press” event at the party headquarters to launch its electoral activities, he added, “The preliminary list of candidates will be published on 15 November.”
Recently, the Election Commission has finalised its decision to register NCP with the election symbol “Shapla Koli” (water lily bud). As the polls approach, the new party has drawn attention through ongoing discussions about possible alliances and its electoral strategy.
Several NCP leaders said the party is in dialogue with the BNP and other parties on possible seat-sharing arrangements. Talks with BNP reportedly include positive discussions on leaving a few constituencies for NCP’s senior figures.
Both BNP and NCP leaders have publicly acknowledged these discussions at various programmes, although the NCP continues to criticise BNP’s stance on implementing the July Charter.
Meanwhile, following the July movement, NCP had enjoyed cordial relations with Jamaat, including logistical and organisational support. However, the newly formed party has recently begun criticising Jamaat’s controversial past.
Responding to the criticism, Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar said at an event on 20 October in Satkhira, “Don’t challenge your father just after you’re born.”
According to a joint convener of the party, NCP wants to keep both BNP and Jamaat under pressure while still seeking their support in four or five key seats to ensure senior leaders’ victories.
Ariful Islam Adeeb, senior joint convener of NCP, told TIMES of Bangladesh, “There’s been propaganda about NCP forming an electoral alliance. While we’ve had conversations with many, no final decision has been made.
At the same time, NCP is considering an alternative coalition if no understanding is reached with BNP or Jamaat. In that case, the party plans to take stance against both the parties. It will foreground reform issues and highlight the past failures and wrongdoings of the two major parties.
There could be a nine-party alliance that may include Gono Odhikar Parishad, AB Party, Ganosamhati Andolon, and Nagorik Oikko, along with six other Ganatantra Manch members.
Discussions among these groups are already under way to finalise the framework of the alliance. On 5 November, several parties met at the central office of the State Reform Movement in Paltan.
However, grassroots NCP leaders believe that instead of bargaining for a few seats, the party should uphold the spirit of the July uprising and maintain its independent stance for a stronger political future.
Although claiming to contest all seats, NCP leadership has yet to form committees in many districts and upazilas, partly due to busy travel schedules and other commitments abroad. Questions therefore remain within the party itself about its readiness to contest all constituencies and field strong candidates.
Formed on 28 February this year, NCP is led largely by frontline activists of last year’s July uprising. It promised a new kind of politics and a “New Bangladesh.”
However, since its inception, several of its leaders have been embroiled in extortion and controversial activities, repeatedly making headlines. As a result, the initial optimism surrounding the youth-led party has gradually turned into public disappointment.
