Thirty leaders of the National Citizens Party (NCP) have written to party convener Nahid Islam, urging him not to form any political alliance with Jamaat-e-Islami, citing the party’s controversial historical role and recent divisive activities.
The memorandum, delivered on Saturday, expressed strong objection to possible seat-sharing or coalition talks with the Islamist party, NCP Joint Secretary Mushfiq Us Saleheen confirmed the development.
The leaders highlighted Jamaat’s stance during the 1971 Liberation War, including opposition to independence, alleged collaboration in genocide, and other past crimes, which they said fundamentally conflict with Bangladesh’s democratic values and the NCP’s principles.
They also raised concerns over Jamaat’s recent activities, including interference in other parties, spreading misinformation, targeting female members of NCP and its student wing, and promoting religious intolerance, describing these as threats to democratic norms and social cohesion.
The memorandum emphasized that as a party emerging from a democratic and popular uprising, NCP has a responsibility to uphold human rights, religious tolerance, gender equality, minority protection, civic freedoms, and democratic principles. The leaders warned that aligning with Jamaat could weaken this ethical stance and damage the party’s credibility among supporters, particularly youth and reform-minded citizens.
The NCP leaders also recalled Nahid Islam and chief coordinator Nasiruddin Patwari’s prior announcements to contest elections independently, including the formation of the ‘Democratic Reform Alliance,’ reflecting the party’s commitment to principled politics. They argued that joining Jamaat for a few seats would betray this commitment, create confusion among supporters, and erode trust.
The letter urged the party leadership to prioritize ethical considerations over tactical gains in forming coalitions and to take a clear stance against collaborating with Jamaat. The leaders stressed that principled differences should be respected within the party to maintain internal discipline and strengthen unity.
The memorandum was signed by 30 central and regional NCP leaders, including Joint Secretary Mushfiq Us Salehin, along with central and regional leaders, including: central organizer Arman Hossain; Joint Convenor Arpita Shyama Dev; South Zone Organizer Md. Shawkat Ali; Joint Chief Coordinator Nahid Nawroz Shah; Joint Secretary S.M. Saif Mostafiz; Joint Secretary Faridul Haq; Joint Chief Organizer Imon Syed; South Zone Organizer Md. Wahid Uz Zaman; Joint Chief Organizer Sadiya Farzana Dina; Joint Convenor Nusrat Tabassum; Joint Secretary Md. Farhad Alam Bhuiya; Central Member Jawadul Karim; Joint Chief Coordinator Khan Md. Mursalin; Central Member Tarik Adnan Mun; Central Member Md. Imran Hossain; Joint Chief Coordinator Md. Saddam Hossain; Central Member Towhid Tanzim; Central Member Mahbub E Khoda; South Zone Organizer Nafiul Islam; North Zone Organizer Dyuti Aranya Chowdhury; South Zone Organizer Hamza Ibn Mahbub; Central Member Syeda Nilima Dola; South Zone Organizer Noyon Ahmed; Central Member Salauddin Jamil Sourav; Joint Convenor Khaled Saifullah; South Zone Organizer Asad Bin Rony; Joint Chief Coordinator Abdullah Al Faisal; Central Member Khalid Saifullah Jewel; and Organizer Rafiqul Islam Aini.