NCP Faces Major Resignations Ahead of Bangladesh Polls

Dhaka, 3 January: With the 13th parliamentary elections scheduled for 12 February in Bangladesh, the National Citizen Party (NCP) is witnessing significant internal turmoil. According to Bangladeshi media reports, the decision to form an alliance with the Islamist party Jamaat-e-Islami has sparked anger among NCP leaders, leading to the resignation of 14 central party members.

Sources within the party reveal that a faction considers the alliance with Jamaat as a highly conflicting ideology and a politically ‘suicidal decision.’ This has triggered a wave of resignations from key central leaders.

Several senior NCP leaders have also become noticeably inactive. The Bengali daily Jugantor reported that controversies have arisen in political circles regarding the income details submitted in the election affidavit by NCP coordinator Nahid Islam.

Beyond political developments, families of those killed or injured in the July 2024 protests claim that since the electoral pact with Jamaat, resignations have continued at all levels—from central leadership to district and city division leaders.

Reports suggest that many prominent leaders have rejected the decision to ally with Jamaat and are refraining from participating in election activities.

Speaking to Jugantor on Friday, several NCP leaders indicated that the number of resignations is expected to rise rapidly, with ongoing discussions among many about stepping down.

Senior leaders have expressed that the party, formed through the blood of protesters, students, and common people during the July 2024 demonstrations, is now betraying those very protesters and the public. Several of these leaders have already quit the party.

A family member of a protester killed in July, speaking anonymously, said, “The ongoing internal splits and resignations in NCP are preventing our demands from being firmly addressed. The government has failed to fulfil most promises made earlier. We are losing faith in NCP’s support. The party’s reputation is declining day by day.”

Additionally, many NCP leaders accused that the alliance decision was primarily made by two influential individuals within the party who sidelined most of the central leadership.

One senior NCP leader told Jugantor on Friday, “Although I have not resigned, I have distanced myself from all party activities. Some top leaders have urged me not to resign, fearing that if I do, many central, divisional, and district-level leaders will resign together.”

This internal conflict has emerged at a critical time when candidates for various seats have been announced or are under discussion. Several declared candidates have also submitted their resignations.

– KK/AS