NCP faces ideals vs strategy conflict over electoral understanding
With the 13th national parliamentary elections approaching, the National Citizen Party (NCP) has decided to form an electoral understanding with Jamaat-e-Islami and several other Islamic political parties. The move has sparked dissatisfaction and divisions within the party, spreading to the grassroots and creating a conflict between ideals and strategy.
At least 15 party leaders have resigned so far, citing discontent with the decision. Some NCP leaders believe the elections would have been an opportunity to introduce the new centrist party to the public and keep its activists engaged. However, grassroots members are widely disappointed.
According to party sources, while NCP initially positioned itself as a centrist, citizen-focused political force, the recent alliance politics has raised concerns that the party may be gradually leaning toward the right. Resigning leaders allege that the party is now pursuing a political path at odds with its founding principles.
Several sources told Jago News that the party leadership did not consult grassroots or mid-level leaders regarding the electoral understanding with the Islamic parties. Instead, top-level decisions were imposed, which, they say, contradicts the principles of internal party democracy. They also warned that alliances with Islamic parties could negatively affect NCP’s centrist and citizen voter base.
NCP central leaders, however, defend the electoral understanding as a pragmatic political strategy. They argue that, in the current political landscape, it is impossible to play an effective role in elections without broader unity. According to them, NCP still believes in centrist politics, and forming alliances does not mean abandoning its ideals.
It is believed that this electoral understanding may bring short-term electoral benefits for the NCP, but in the long run, it could raise questions about the party’s ideological identity and support base. There are concerns that the NCP’s unique appeal among new and young voters may be undermined.
NCP Joint Convener Monira Sharmin told Jago News: “Who stays in the party or who leaves is a personal decision. Naturally, there is some tension within the party. I have not resigned because NCP is a political party, and a single decision does not end it.”
She added: “I joined believing in centrist politics. We must remain in the party to represent our audience and support members who feel disappointed. Leaving the party is not a solution. I have protested by choosing not to participate in the election, but the party will continue its centrist political stance.”
On whether the electoral understanding with right-wing parties was a mistake, she said: “It is too early to say whether forming the alliance was right or wrong. We will have to wait for the future. The election has not taken place yet, and many events will unfold before that, which may give us a clearer message.”
Following the finalization of the electoral understanding with Jamaat-e-Islami, Tasnim Jara, the party’s senior joint secretary and political council member, announced her resignation on Monday evening. Earlier, on 25 December, Mir Arshadul Haq, NCP’s joint secretary of the central committee, resigned after expressing support for BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman.
Other resigning leaders include Joint Conveners Khaled Saifullah and Tajnuva Jabeen; Joint Secretary Arif Sohel; northern organiser Azad Khan Bhasani; southern organiser Wahiduzzaman; members Asif Nehal (Asif Mostafa Jamal), Mir Habib Al Manzur, Marzuk Ahmed, Al-Amin Tutul; Joint Coordinator Khan Muhammad Mursaleen; Media Cell Secretary Mushfiq Us Salehin; ICT Cell Chief Farhad Alam Bhuiya; and central committee member Syeda Nilima Dola, among others.
Despite the resignations, NCP Joint Convener Mujahidul Islam Shaheen told Jago News that the party is not facing major challenges:
“Our request to them is to return and participate in party activities again,” Mujahidul said. He added that the duration and future of alliances with Jamaat will depend on the election results, after which the party will reassess its strategy.
NCP Joint Secretary and Khulna Divisional Organizational Secretary Faridul Haque said: “There is a challenge. The NCP has already entered an electoral understanding with a right-wing alliance. If the party’s democratic leaders withdraw, there is a risk that NCP could tilt further to the right.”
Commenting on grassroots discontent, Faridul Haque said: “There is frustration and dissatisfaction at the grassroots over the entire situation. We were preparing the grassroots to contest the elections independently—everything from candidate selection and preparation to organizational activities. Now, the party remains without a contest in most seats. This is a very difficult situation for political workers.”
He added: “We are a new organization, and our leaders and workers have become loyal in a very short time—that doesn’t happen easily. We are not a cadre-based party. From that perspective, this is a risk and a setback. Naturally, there is dissatisfaction at the grassroots. If elections had been held in all constituencies, our leaders and workers could have remained active and made our party’s presence known locally. After this decision, the party is clearly facing a risk.”