Rifts brew in 11-party alliance as local elections approach 

 

The National Citizen Party (NCP) and the Jamaat-led 11-party alliance are facing mounting tensions ahead of local elections, with disagreements over seat-sharing, Dhaka city corporation contests and the Thakurgaon-1 by-election threatening the stability of their partnership. Although both sides publicly deny a rift, the NCP is increasingly seeking organisational autonomy and an independent political identity, raising the possibility of a breakdown of the alliance if differences remain unresolved.

Poll Politics Strain Ties: The NCP's decision to contest local elections independently emerged at its October 21 political council meeting, attended by Convener Nahid Islam and Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain. It also decided to scale back participation in joint alliance programmes, with its two top leaders no longer routinely attending them.

The party nominated Senior Joint Convener Nasiruddin Patwary for Dhaka South City Corporation and Senior Joint Member Secretary Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan for Dhaka North, viewing the polls as a test of its electoral strength and grassroots support.

Disagreements over the Dhaka contests have further strained ties. Since mid-September, the NCP has sought Jamaat's concession in at least one corporation. Jamaat reportedly offered seats in Cumilla and Mymensingh instead, a proposal the NCP rejected, widening the political divide.

For the NCP, the capital's elections are crucial to establishing an independent identity, while Jamaat is keen to assert its organisational influence in both metropolitan contests.

Leaders’ Absence Fuels Rift: Nahid Islam and Akhtar Hossain’s absence from the alliance’s October 31 long march fuelled speculation about its future. Organised to press seven demands, the march began at Baitul Mukarram Mosque’s south gate in Dhaka before heading towards Khulna and Kushtia.

Jamaat Ameer and Opposition Leader Dr Shafiqur Rahman addressed the inaugural rally. Although a chair was reportedly reserved for Nahid beside him, the NCP convener stayed away. Several senior NCP leaders, including Ariful Islam Adeeb, Abdul Hannan Masud, Hasnat Abdullah and S M Saif Mustafiz, joined different stages, unlike previous marches towards Chattogram and Rangpur, which the party’s top leaders attended.
NCP leaders dismissed speculation about a split, arguing that joint programmes did not preclude independent activities.

“There is no ideological alliance between the NCP and Jamaat. The 11-party coalition was formed based on electoral unity. Alongside joint programmes, the NCP is pursuing its own initiatives to strengthen the party at the grassroots,” Joint Convener Monira Sharmin explained.

Rejecting claims of deteriorating relations, she stressed that political parties had separate agendas and areas of common ground.