NCP ties up with Jamaat ‘strictly for election’

This is not an ideological alliance … Our goals and principles will continue. For now, the focus is on electoral cooperation.

Nahid Islam, NCP convener

The National Citizen Party has forged a seat-sharing arrangement with Jamaat-e-Islami to contest the February 12 national election, ending days of intense  speculations.

NCP Convener Nahid Islam at a press conference yesterday said the party's pact with Jamaat and other parties is "strictly electoral".

"In the current political situation, it is not possible for the NCP to contest the election alone. That is why we have decided to form an alliance with like-minded parties." 

The party's reform, justice, and anti-hegemony agenda, however, will remain unchanged, he added.

"This is not an ideological alliance; it is an electoral understanding. Our goals and principles will continue. For now, the focus is on electoral cooperation.

"This understanding will help overcome electoral hurdles while keeping our reform agenda alive."

The NCP chief observed that addressing the country's crises and fulfilling post-uprising goals requires wider cooperation.

Under the agreement, he added, candidates finalised through the alliance would submit nomination papers, with the NCP and its affiliates campaigning for them. In constituencies where the party has no candidate, it will support alliance nominees.

On possible splits or resignations, Nahid said participation in the polls or remaining in the party is a personal decision. "Candidates will be selected from among those aligned with our objectives and who have higher chances of winning."

He also said the Gonotantrik Songskar Jote no longer exists following the NCP's  seat-sharing deal with Jamaat.

The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), led by Col (retired) Oli Ahmed, also joined the Jamaat-led electoral pact, expanding it from eight to 10 parties.

Yesterday afternoon, Jamaat Ameer Shafiqur Rahman announced the development at a press conference at the Jatiya Press Club.

He said the alliance has nearly completed its nomination list for all 300 constituencies through discussions, with the remaining work to be completed fairly after the submission of nomination papers.

Referring to the NCP's absence in the briefing, he said the party's leaders were unable to attend due to time constraints but had formally conveyed their decision to join the alliance and would brief the media separately.

"We want a free, fair, and acceptable election on the announced date. Ensuring a level playing field and fulfilling constitutional responsibilities is the duty of the government and the Election Commission. Any deviation will not be accepted by the nation."

He said many in the younger generation were unable to vote in the last three elections. "Our voting rights were taken away. Standing shoulder to shoulder with this new generation, we will fight to restore the right to vote through a free and fair election. This is not merely an alliance; it is a unity stronger than an alliance -- essentially a 10-party electoral understanding for nation-building and the election."

Asked about seat allocations, the Jamaat ameer said, "No single party is allocating seats to others. Based on fairness and merit, we are entrusting seats to one another."

However, senior leaders of the parties involved in the joint movement said an understanding had been reached by Sunday afternoon on around 260 to 265 seats.

For the remaining 30 to 35 constituencies, where multiple parties believe their candidates are more qualified or popular, discussions will continue after Jamaat's grand rally scheduled for January 3, with informal talks ongoing in the meantime.

On the condition of anonymity, a senior leader said the LDP had sought 10 seats, though it is unlikely to receive more than four. While discussions have mentioned conceding 30 seats to the NCP, the number is expected to be capped at 25. Jamaat is unlikely to contest more than 180 to 185 seats, Islami Andolan Bangladesh no more than 35, and Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis no more than 13 to 14 seats.

Another leader said that at a meeting of top alliance leaders yesterday, aspirants in constituencies, where consensus has yet to be reached, were asked to submit nomination papers. Once an agreement is finalised, others will withdraw their candidacies.

An Islami Andolan Bangladesh leader said the party would submit nomination papers in all 300 constituencies but added that seat-sharing talks were continuing. "We remain hopeful that an excellent understanding will be reached, Insha'Allah," he said.

A Jamaat leader, speaking anonymously, said the NCP commands around 5-6 percent public support nationwide but lacks organisational strength to translate that support into votes.

Jamaat, he said, sees strategic value in aligning with the NCP, which would bring the July force into the electoral field. Jamaat also believes unity among Islamist parties could help strengthen an Islamic ideological narrative against BNP's nationalism.

Jamaat insiders said an alliance with the LDP would add further momentum, citing the presence of a distinguished freedom fighter in the fold.

At the press conference, LDP Chairman Oli Ahmed sat beside the Jamaat ameer but did not speak. The event was moderated by Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis Ameer Mamunul Haque who said the alliance should now be described as a 10-party electoral understanding.

Others present included Islami Andolan Bangladesh Presidium Member Ashraf Ali Akon, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis Secretary General Ahmad Abdul Kader, Bangladesh Khelafat Andolan Nayeb-e-Ameer Mujibur Rahman Hamidi, Jatiya Gonotantrik Party (Jagpa) spokesperson Rashed Pradhan, and Jamaat Assistant Secretary General Hamidur Rahman Azad, among others.