NCP eyes electoral deal with Jamaat, threatening two political blocs 

National Citizen Party (NCP) is entering into a seat agreement with Jamaat-e-Islami, while the Bangladesh Khilafat Majlis is reportedly leaving. As a result, the existence of the two recently formed political alliances, the 'Democratic Reform Alliance' and the alliance of eight religious parties, is now under threat. 

Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar confirmed the media that talks with the NCP regarding a seat agreement are underway. On Wednesday, December 24, two high-level meetings were held between top leaders of Jamaat and a delegation from the NCP led by convener Nahid Islam and member secretary Akhtar Hossain. While the discussions touched upon the broader alliance framework, the parties reached an agreement in principle solely on seat distribution. The delegation also met in the evening with Jamaat's Naib-e-Amir Dr Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher to further deliberate on the terms.

According to meeting sources, NCP initially sought a guarantee of at least 50 seats, while Jamaat discussed offering 30. Although the arrangement has yet to be finalized, sources indicate that an agreement could range between 30 and 50 seats. Reports also suggest that current NCP alliance partners, including the Amar Bangladesh Party (AB Party) and the Bangladesh Rastro Songskar Andolon, may have stakes in these seats.

NCP joint convener Sarwar Tushar emphasized the ongoing deliberations stating, "Discussions are going on within the NCP and with different parties on various political agendas. The NCP has not yet finalized the issue of the electoral alliance. An alliance or seat deal may also be reached with BNP or Jamaat. That opportunity exists and discussions are underway. Everything will come to the fore very soon."

This development has exposed cracks in the newly formed 'Democratic Reform Alliance,' composed of the NCP, AB Party and the State Reform Movement, which officially launched on December 7. The discord emerged just five days before the last day of filing nominations on December 29. Alliance partners have expressed strong objections to the NCP's potential seat deal with Jamaat or BNP. AB Party Joint General Secretary Didar Bhuiyan said, "The NCP informed us about the matter on Monday night. We are not willing to share seats with anyone, BNP or Jamaat." He warned that "NCP is a big party in this alliance. If they make an agreement with any other alliance or party, then this alliance will automatically be dissolved."

The possibility of an NCP-Jamaat alliance has also provoked strong reactions among young politicians and activists. Anti-Discrimination Student Movement president Rifat Rashid cautioned, "It would be suicidal if the NCP forms an alliance with Jamaat for just 30 seats. NCP has already confirmed nominations for 125 seats. Everyone is conducting public relations in their areas, spending money. If only 30 of them get nominations, the rest will become rebels. The possibility of the party breaking up cannot be ruled out. NCP will never be able to stand as an independent political entity again. People will see the talk of a new political settlement as just a stand-off."

"It has long been alleged that the NCP functions as Jamaat's B team. If it now goes beyond an electoral seat arrangement and enters into a formal alliance, that perception will be firmly established. In that case, Jamaat's positions on these issues including its historical responsibility in 1971, recent mobocracy, and opposition to various religions and communities will be regarded as the positions of the NCP itself," he added.

Meanwhile former Anti-Discrimination Student Movement coordinator Abdul Quader  said, "Through this, the NCP will practically dissolve into the womb of Jamaat."

The seat negotiations have also triggered unease within the alliance of eight religious parties. Sources indicate that the Bangladesh Khilafat Majlis, led by Maulana Mamunul Haque, may exit the coalition due to the new understanding between Jamaat and the NCP. The eight-party alliance was originally designed to consolidate the votes of Islamic parties rather than to elevate Jamaat to power.