NCP in deep soup over Jamaat alliance

Since the collapse of the Awami League government on August 5, 2024, Bangladesh's political landscape has shifted dramatically. One of the most significant developments was the formation of the National Citizen Party (NCP) on February 28, 2025, led by youth activists from the mass uprising. The party initially presented itself as a centrist, reform-oriented alternative, emphasizing civil liberties, institutional reform, and "true democracy." However, as the country moves closer to national elections, the NCP is grappling with leadership instability, ideological confusion, and organizational paralysis, largely due to its controversial alliance with Jamaat-e-Islami. 

From its inception, NCP leaders repeatedly asserted that the party would contest all 300 parliamentary constituencies independently, distancing itself from the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami. The leadership repeatedly stressed that the party's aim was not merely to seize state power, but to promote youth-driven, moderate, and reform-oriented politics. Yet, as the electoral process gained momentum, internal debates emerged over alliances. On December 7, the NCP formed the Democratic Reform Alliance with the AB Party and the Rashtra Sanskar Andolon, with NCP Convener Nahid Islam acting as spokesperson. Three days later, the party announced candidates for 125 seats in the first phase, reaffirming its intention to contest all 300 constituencies.
However, within two weeks, the party began fresh negotiations with Jamaat-e-Islami. Many NCP members saw this move as ideologically incompatible and politically risky, triggering widespread dissent within the party.

The Jamaat alliance prompted a cascade of resignations from central and grassroots leadership. Former Senior Joint Member Secretary Dr. Tasneem Zara, NCP's Dhaka-9 nominee, resigned on December 28 and is now contesting as an independent. Founding spokesperson Mushfiqur Us Salehin stepped down from all posts, while Central Joint Chief Coordinator Khan Muhammad Mursaleen also resigned. Other senior resignations included Joint Convener Dr. Tajnubha Jabin, Joint Member Secretary Arif Sohel, ICT Cell Head Farhad Alam Bhuiyan, Central Organizer Azad Khan Bhashani, Central Member Al Amin Ahmed Tutul, and Joint Member Secretary and Chattogram-16 nominee Mir Arshadul Haque.

A group of 30 central members sent a formal letter to Convener Nahid Islam opposing the alliance, citing Jamaat's role in 1971, alleged divisive politics, espionage attempts targeting NCP women leaders, and fears of rising social fascism. They warned that the party's ideological foundation, its responsibility to the July uprising, and its democratic ethics were being compromised.

Beyond resignations, many leaders have become inactive, and several declared or potential candidates have withdrawn from electoral activities. Senior Joint Convener Samantha Sharmin criticized the Jamaat alliance, warning that NCP could pay a heavy price for aligning with forces contrary to its founding principles. Nahida Sarwar Nibha has not resigned but is reportedly inactive. Others, including Nusrat Tabassum, Monira Sharmin, Manjila Jhuma, and Dutee Aranya Chowdhury, have either resigned or withdrawn from organizational work. The exodus has severely weakened the party's Election Management, Manifesto, and Policy & Research Committees, causing operational stagnation.

To stabilize the party, increased responsibility has fallen on Asif Mahmud Sajeeb Bhuiyan, a former interim government adviser. He now serves as the party's spokesperson and head of the Election Management Committee, overseeing media, publicity, branding, office management, public relations, membership recruitment, and the policy and research wing. However, Jamaat-e-Islami has publicly stated it will not take responsibility for the past actions of the two former student advisers, raising questions about how Jamaat-aligned factions within the NCP will respond to Asif Mahmud's authority.

Several former NCP leaders are now contesting elections as independents, while others have joined the BNP. A faction named "Trinamool NCP," led by former leader Muntasir Mahmud, has begun organizing programs and recently staged a protest demanding investigations into alleged corruption involving former student advisers Mahfuz Alam and Asif Mahmud Sajeeb Bhuiyan.

Families of those killed in the July uprising and injured activists have expressed frustration over the party's disintegration. One family member said, "Since the election agreement with Jamaat-e-Islami, top leaders from central to district and divisional levels have been resigning one after another. Many are rejecting this decision and withdrawing from election activities. The party's enthusiasm is declining day by day." Another added, "Such disintegration and resignations in the NCP are making our demands uncertain. 

Political analysts have sounded the alarm. Professor Dr. Dilara Chowdhury remarked, "For various reasons, I do not see any future for the newly formed NCP. The party will not be able to stand as a party either." Analyst Zahed Ur Rahman warned, "The disaster the NCP is currently going through will worsen after the elections." Researcher Altaf Parvez emphasized, "If the July uprising is to be sustained, other youth need to come together now. It will have to be developed in a new way."

The NCP's alliance with Jamaat-e-Islami has triggered a severe legitimacy crisis, eroding its reformist credentials and accelerating leadership defections. Once positioned as the political embodiment of the July uprising, the party now faces accusations of reverting to the "politics of the old settlement." With organizational paralysis, ideological contradictions, and mounting public skepticism, the NCP's future as a viable political force remains uncertain.