NCP-Jamaat Seat-Sharing: Who Is Likely to Get Nominations
With the 13th national parliament election approaching, political parties are actively forming alliances, seat-sharing agreements, or strategic understandings with smaller, newer, or like-minded parties to secure parliamentary representation.
In this context, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami is making significant efforts to bring the National Citizen Party (NCP) and several other parties into its fold. However, while a large section of NCP’s central committee is in favour, another section is strongly opposed to any understanding with Jamaat.
The matter has now become the talk of the country.
Amid the ongoing debate, NCP appears to be moving towards forming an election alliance and seat-sharing with Jamaat, based on the opinion of the majority in its central committee. A final decision on the issue, along with details, may be announced today Sunday (28 December).
Sources from both Jamaat and NCP said the agreement between the two parties is nearing finalisation. Once the alliance is formalised, details on how they will work together, which seats will be contested by whom, and how many candidates each party will field are expected to be revealed soon.
According to relevant sources, as part of the seat-sharing, Jamaat may concede at least 20 seats to NCP. Among the likely beneficiaries are NCP convener Md Nahid Islam, member-secretary Akhter Hossain, senior joint convener Ariful Islam Adib, joint convener Sarwar Tushar, joint convener Dr Atik Mujahid, chief organiser of the southern region Hasnat Abdullah, chief organiser of the northern region Sarjis Alam, chief coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary, and senior joint chief coordinator Abdul Hannan Masud, along with several other popular leaders.
Earlier, on 25 December, central joint member-secretary and executive council member Mir Arshadul Haq resigned from NCP in protest against the talks of alliance with Jamaat. He announced that even if offered nomination, he would not contest the election.
On 27 December, senior joint member-secretary Dr Tasnim Zara also resigned. She was joined in her stance against the alliance by senior joint convener Samanta Sharmin, senior member-secretary Nahid Sarwar Niva, joint convener Tajnuva Jabeen, joint member-secretary Nusrat Tabassum, and several other central members.
Notably, on Saturday (27 December), 30 leaders of the party wrote a letter to convener Nahid Islam expressing their objection to any political alliance or seat-sharing with Jamaat. Among them are joint convener Khaled Saifullah, joint member-secretary Mushfiq Us Salehin, central organiser Arman Hossain, joint convener Nusrat Tabassum, joint chief coordinator Khan Mohammad Mursalin, organiser Rafiqul Islam Aini, and many others.
On the same day, 170 leaders from the central committee wrote a letter to Nahid Islam in support of forming an alliance or seat-sharing with Jamaat. Signatories include Sarwar Tushar, Dr Atik Mujahid, Ariful Islam Adib, Javed Rasin, Arifur Rahman Tuhin, Saifullah Haider, Alauddin Mohammad, and many others.
Meanwhile, clarifying the party’s position on the proposed understanding, member-secretary Akhter Hossain said in a message posted on the party’s verified Facebook page: “In the consensus commission, differences were observed with BNP and other parties on the issue of reforms. Naturally, NCP, Jamaat, and other parties agreed on the points of reform.
He further said: “In that context, the commitment to reforms, rebuilding the country, and constructing a new state structure for Bangladesh is being evaluated as the most important consideration in forming an election alliance or understanding.”
On 25 December, Akhter Hossain told The Daily Campus: “We are holding discussions with various political parties on election alliances, seats, and reforms. In continuation of that, discussions have taken place with Jamaat. Once a final decision is reached, we will inform everyone about our next course of action.”
NCP joint member-secretary Alauddin Mohammad said on the same day: “Our effort is to reach an understanding with those who stand for reforms or ‘yes’ vote. We are giving priority to that issue.”
On the same day, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami assistant secretary general and head of central publicity and media department Ehsanullah Mahbub Zubair said: “Besides our eight-party alliance, discussions are ongoing with other political parties. In continuation of that, talks have taken place with NCP. Once a final decision is made, we will inform everyone about it in detail.”
