NCP to join local polls under alliance framework: Nahid

Opposition Chief Whip and National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam has said his party is preparing for upcoming local government elections, including city corporation polls, under an electoral alliance framework.

Speaking to journalists at the office of the Chittagong University Journalists Association on Thursday night, he said, "We are in an electoral alliance. Local government or city corporation elections may be held under the alliance. When the election environment becomes clearer, it can be said whether there will be a single election or not. However, like every party, we are also preparing."

Nahid Islam also criticised the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), alleging ambiguity over constitutional reform proposals and the implementation of the July Charter.

"BNP is talking about implementing the July Charter, but they are not giving any clear statement regarding the referendum for constitutional reform," he said.

Claiming that the NCP has acted responsibly in parliament, he added, "We have placed our demands in parliament from the position of the opposition party. We have played a responsible role in parliament. We did not render parliament ineffective like the previous opposition party."

Referring to BNP's parliamentary strength, he said the ruling party currently holds a two-thirds majority, which limits the scope for effective opposition politics inside the legislature.

"We have said that amid an international war, the country's energy crisis and the measles outbreak, we do not want to launch street movements over demands. However, if issues are not resolved in parliament, there will be movements on the streets," he warned.