Dhaka, 27 December. As Bangladesh’s general elections approach, a deep divide has surfaced within the student-led National Citizen Party (NCP) over alliance formation. Local media reports indicate the party is moving towards a possible seat-sharing arrangement with Jamaat-e-Islami.
The NCP was formed in 2024 following student protests against the Awami League government led by Sheikh Hasina. After these protests, Mohammad Yunus became head of the interim administration and is considered a patron of the NCP. However, amid election preparations, the party is struggling to build a strong grassroots presence.
Initially, the NCP was seen as a third force distinct from Bangladesh’s traditional political players—the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Jamaat-e-Islami. Meanwhile, the interim government has imposed restrictions on the Awami League, which ruled for years.
Despite a significant presence on social media, the NCP has failed to convert digital popularity into on-ground support. For this reason, the party is exploring alliances with either the BNP or Jamaat-e-Islami. This effort has triggered resignations, factionalism, and tense negotiations within the party.
According to Dhaka-based Daily Prothom Alo, the NCP is ready to settle for about 30 seats in alliance with Jamaat, dropping its ambition to contest many seats in the 350-member parliament. Pre-election surveys show a clear lead for the BNP, with Jamaat trailing, adding to the NCP’s dilemma.
Two factions have emerged inside the party—one supporting an alliance with Jamaat-e-Islami and the other favouring talks with the BNP, especially after BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman’s return to Bangladesh. Amid this tension, Mir Arshadul Haque, a leading anti-Jamaat figure and joint secretary of the NCP as well as chief coordinator of its Chattogram city unit, resigned on Thursday, reported The Daily Star.
Adding fuel to the controversy are reports that Jamaat-e-Islami may offer the NCP up to 1.5 crore taka per constituency as part of the alliance deal. Responding to this, a student leader remarked, “Youth politics is being buried.”
Prothom Alo reports that talks on seat-sharing between the NCP and Jamaat-e-Islami are ongoing ahead of the parliamentary polls. While one group within the NCP views the alliance as essential for political survival, another sees it as a deviation from the party’s founding principles.
Sources say that after initial talks with the BNP failed, discussions with Jamaat intensified. However, following Tarique Rahman’s return, the NCP has resumed contact with the BNP. Jamaat-e-Islami, which has supported Mohammad Yunus since August 2024, has not publicly declared its stance yet. Jamaat leader Shafiqur Rahman stated on Friday that any party agreeing to Jamaat’s three conditions may form an electoral alliance with them.
It is notable that the NCP was officially launched in February 2025 by student leaders who led the 2024 protests that forced former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to step down.
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My name is Bhupendra Singh Chundawat. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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