Mushfiq Us Salehin, media cell secretary of National Citizen Party (NCP), has resigned from the party.
Mushfiq, also the party’s joint member secretary, submitted his resignation letter formally to the party’s convener, Nahid Islam, on Thursday.
Confirming the matter to TIMES of Bangladesh Mushfiq stated that, as a founding member of the NCP, he has always tried to fulfil his responsibilities while remaining committed to the party’s goals, ideals, the spirit of the July Mass Uprising, and democratic ethics.
In his resignation letter, Mushfiq mentioned that he was active in party-building work while holding various positions, including joint member secretary, executive committee member, media cell secretary, and co-lead of the Policy and Research Wing.
Mushfiq said it was with the expectation of building a youth-centric, moderate, and future-oriented political party in the context of the July mass uprising that he joined the NCP, taking personal and professional risks.
However, he said he is not in principle agreement with the party’s decision to join the 10-party alliance led by Jamaat-e-Islami ahead of the upcoming national election.
In the resignation letter, he further noted that he had previously raised his objection to this matter through a note of dissent in the Executive Committee meeting and later via a memorandum.
In Mushfiq’s view, joining this alliance is not consistent with the aspirations of the July mass uprising, democratic values, and the political goal of building an inclusive citizen-state. He believes that while there may be prospects for short-term political gain, it will call into question the NCP’s future as a moderate and self-reliant party in the long term.
Mushfiq stated that he arrived at this decision considering the lack of internal democratic practice, the opacity of the decision-making process within the party, and the political positions of the new alliance partners.
He added that, given these realities, continuing to hold a party position and perform duties is no longer compatible with his moral convictions and political responsibilities.
In the resignation letter, he announced his voluntary stepping down from all positions and responsibilities within the NCP. Simultaneously, he clarified that his decision is entirely political and that he will remain a well-wisher of the NCP in the future.
In the concluding part of the letter, he extended his best wishes for the NCP’s future political journey and expressed hope that the party will continue to play a role in building the future Bangladesh by keeping democracy, equality, human dignity, and social justice at the centre of politics.
