Dhaka, Bangladesh — Bangladesh’s National Citizen Party (NCP), born out of the student-led movement that led to the fall of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, is facing its first major internal crisis after deciding to form an electoral alliance with the Islamist party Jamaat-e-Islami ahead of the February 12 general election.
The decision has triggered resignations, criticism from supporters, and renewed debate over the party’s ideological direction, exposing deep divisions within the young political force.
Alliance Decision Sparks Resignations and Discontent
NCP President Nahid Islam announced the alliance on Sunday, describing it as a step toward building a broader political front. He said the party’s final list of candidates would be released on Monday. “We have taken this decision to move toward a larger political unity,” Islam said, calling the move strategic.
The announcement, however, was quickly followed by backlash. Tasnim Jara, a senior party leader who had returned to Bangladesh after leaving her medical career in the United Kingdom, resigned from the NCP. Reuters reported that she has decided to contest the election as an independent candidate. Several other party members have also left in protest.
Reuters noted that Jamaat-e-Islami has long faced allegations of opposing Bangladesh’s independence and of involvement in war crimes during the 1971 Liberation War. The party has spent years battling legal cases, leadership bans, and political exclusion, factors that have limited its support base.
Critics within and outside the NCP say partnering with Jamaat contradicts the principles that originally drew young supporters to the party.“Because of this ideological inconsistency, my moral support for the NCP no longer exists,” a university student told Reuters, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Opposition Regains Ground Ahead of Election
As the NCP struggles with internal divisions, Bangladesh’s main opposition party, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), has intensified its political activity. The party was founded by former prime minister Khaleda Zia and is currently led by her son Tarique Rahman as acting chair.
Rahman recently returned to Bangladesh after nearly 17 years in exile. Local media reports say his return has energized supporters and strengthened the party’s standing ahead of the election.
The February 12 parliamentary vote will be held under the supervision of an interim government led by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus. The caretaker administration is tasked with stabilizing the country after nearly two years of political uncertainty following Hasina’s removal from office.
Polls Show NCP Lagging as Analysts Warn of Long-Term Impact
According to a December survey by the U.S.-based International Republican Institute, the NCP currently stands third with 6 percent public support. The BNP leads the field with 30 percent, followed by Jamaat-e-Islami at 26 percent.
Political analyst Shakil Ahmed of Jahangirnagar University said the alliance could influence voting patterns in the short term but warned of possible long-term consequences for the NCP.
“The alliance may have an immediate impact on voting behavior,” Ahmed said. “But over time, it could weaken the NCP’s ambition to establish itself as a major political force.” With the election approaching, the NCP now faces a defining moment—whether it can balance electoral strategy with the ideals that once fueled its rise.
