National Citizen Party (NCP) Member Secretary Akhter Hossen on Sunday said discussions are underway with Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami over forming an electoral alliance for the 13th national election, but no final decision has been taken yet.
“We are in talks with Jamaat regarding an alliance. No final decision has been made so far. Once a decision is taken, we will share details,” Akhter told reporters while leaving a Dhaka court after securing bail in a case filed against him during the Awami League regime.
He said NCP remains firm in its core ideology and is working to lead the country in the same way its members played a leading role during the July uprising.
Akhter also dismissed concerns over the resignations of senior Joint Member Secretary Tasnim Jara and Joint Convener Tajnuva Jabeen over the Jamaat alliance issue, saying these would have no impact on the party.
“Joining or leaving a party is a normal process. Many have resigned from the NCP before, and many have also joined. The party will continue to operate according to its rules,” he said.
Referring to the formation of the NCP from the National Citizen Committee, Akhter said many had resigned at that time as well, with critics predicting an uncertain future for the party. “Nothing of that sort happened then, and it won’t happen now either. We are not shaken by these resignations.”
Tajnuva Jabeen quits NCP over alliance-forging concerns
Earlier, in a statement issued late Saturday night, Akhter said although the NCP has differences with the BNP over reform proposals at the Consensus Commission, there was agreement on reforms with Jamaat and other parties.
He said it is from this point of reform-based consensus that the NCP is considering an alliance with Jamaat.
Meanwhile, the prospect of an NCP–Jamaat alliance has exposed internal rifts within the party, with around 30 NCP leaders writing to party Convener Nahid Islam to register their opposition to any partnership with Jamaat.
Tasnim Jara resigned from the party on Saturday evening over disagreements regarding the alliance and announced she would contest the election independently.
NCP to pay ‘heavy price’ if it aligns with Jamaat: Samantha Sharmin
On Sunday, Tajnuva Jabeenn also resigned, stating that she would not take part in the 13th national election.
Another senior leader, NCP Senior Joint Convener Samantha Sharmin, strongly opposed a potential alliance with Jamaat, calling it a wrong decision for the party.
She warned that the NCP would have to pay a ‘heavy price’ if it proceeds with such an alliance.