United News of Bangladesh

National Citizen Party (NCP) on Tuesday warned that democracy is at risk, accusing senior government officials, including intelligence chiefs, of openly favoring a party ahead of the national election. “We’ve seen various government officials and chiefs of different intelligence agencies seemingly fix their focus on a single party office and visit it regularly. We believe this is a serious threat to democracy in Bangladesh,” said NCP spokesperson Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan. He made this remark after leading a four-member NCP delegation in a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin at the latter’s office in the city’s Nirbachan Bhaban in the afternoon. “We have, with great concern, observed that over the past few days, after the chairperson of a particular party returned to the country—whom we welcomed both personally and on behalf of our party—what followed is a bad sign for Bangladesh’s democracy,” said Asif Mahmud, also the chief of the NCP election steering committee. He alleged that practices reminiscent of what he termed “illegal conduct during the period of Awami fascism” are resurfacing. “We always saw in Bangladesh (in the past) that the administration has a tendency to be biased towards those who are in power, but we will never accept such audacity before the people give their mandate and someone comes to power,” he said. The NCP leader urged both the government and the Election Commission to take swift action against such officials who, he said, have clearly violated government service rules as such conduct has dampened public enthusiasm for exercising voting rights in the upcoming elections. “We call on the government to take immediate punitive action against those involved and to assure the people that their voting rights still remain intact....You must restore this confidence (among the people),” he said.

Alleging that National Citizen Party (NCP) has completely abandoned its centrist political stance and moved into right-wing politics by aligning with Jamaat-e-Islami and like-minded parties, another senior female leader resigned from the party on Saturday. Syeda Nilima Dola, a central member of the NCP, submitted her resignation letter to party Convener Nahid Islam, saying that the party no longer holds any scope for pursuing a new path of centrist politics. In her resignation letter, Dola said she had remained with the NCP after the July uprising with the expectation that the party would work towards state reform, but “it has ultimately turned into a patron of right-wing forces.” Bringing allegations of deception against the party, she said, “The election-oriented alliance between NCP and Jamaat is not a strategic one. If it were strategic, so many leaders and activists would not have resigned. This alliance was formed by misleading grassroots leaders and workers. Under the pretext of nominations, the NCP has committed blatant betrayal.” Referring to what she described as another ‘game plan’, Dola said those who are resigning are being framed as leftists, which, according to her, makes it easier for the NCP to ‘sell the party’ to Jamaat. Questioning the party’s ideological position, she wrote to Nahid Islam, “If those who are leaving are leftists, does that make you right-wing? Were you not supposed to be a centrist party?” Dola also said the public trust and confidence that people once had in the NCP have been ‘shattered’, adding that the party has failed to live up to public expectations. She warned that the NCP would face the people’s response in the difficult days ahead. Calling the alliance with Jamaat incompatible with the party’s origins, Dola said, “The NCP emerged standing on the blood of the July martyrs. The martyrs did not sacrifice their lives to play politics by foregrounding religious ideology. There was no religious revolution or uprising in Bangladesh in July 2024.” She also alleged that the NCP is moving towards establishing the narrative of the former ruling Awami League, saying, “By wrapping the uprising in a religious cloak, you are paving the way for the Awami narrative. For this, ‘lal salam’ to you.” With Dola’s resignation, the number of leaders and activists who have quit the NCP has crossed ten. Since the resignation of senior joint member secretary Tasnim Jara over the party’s alliance with Jamaat, a series of central leaders have stepped down. The NCP, however, has said it is not concerned about individuals leaving or joining the party, describing the development as a normal political process.

The district returning officer on Saturday declared valid the nomination papers of four candidates of National Citizen Party (NCP), a partner of the Jamaat-e-Islami-led 10-party alliance, in four Dhaka constituencies. Dhaka's Deputy Commissioner and District Returning Officer Md Rezaul Karim approved the nominations after scrutiny at the divisional commissioner’s office in Segunbagicha. According to an NCP media release, the nominations of Nahid Islam for Dhaka-11, Nasiruddin Patwary for Dhaka-8, Javed Rasin for Dhaka-9 and Ariful Islam Adeeb for Dhaka-18 were found compliant with all requirements. In Dhaka-11, comprising Rampura, Badda and Vatara, NCP candidate Nahid Islam will face BNP nominee MA Quayum, whose nomination was also validated on the same day. Jamaat-e-Islami’s Atiqur Rahman withdrew from the race following the formation of the alliance. In the high-profile Dhaka-8 constituency, covering Motijheel, Shahbagh, Ramna, Paltan and Shahjahanpur, Jamaat nominee Advocate Helal Uddin stepped aside in support of NCP’s Nasiruddin. BNP Standing Committee member Mirza Abbas is contesting from the seat, alongside another notable contender, Meghna Alam of Gono Odhikar Parishad. Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of Inqilab Moncho, had earlier emerged as a prospective independent candidate in Dhaka-8 but was critically injured in a shooting in Bijoynagar on December 12 and later died on December 18. While Inqilab Moncho did not nominate a replacement, Nasiruddin said he was inspired by Hadi’s political stance. In Dhaka-9, comprising Sabujbagh, Khilgaon, Bashabo and Mugdha, Javed secured nomination validity for NCP. Tasnim Zara, initially nominated by NCP, resigned from the party over differences following the alliance with Jamaat. Her nomination was declared invalid, though an appeal is expected. Tasnim Jara’s Dhaka-9 nomination scrapped, plans to appeal BNP Central Executive Committee member Habibur Rashid Habib is contesting the election for the seat. For Dhaka-18, covering Uttara, Turag and parts of Dhaka Cantonment, Ariful received nomination clearance after Nasiruddin shifted to Dhaka-8 post-alliance. BNP’s candidate is SM Jahangir Hossain. As per the Election Commission schedule, December 29 was the last date for submitting nomination papers, while scrutiny is set to conclude by January 4. Appeals can be filed with the Election Commission between January 5 and 9. The 13th national parliamentary election and referendum are scheduled for February 12.

Khan Muhammad Mursalin, joint chief coordinator of the National Citizen Party (NCP), resigned from the party on Thursday, citing ideological differences and disillusionment over its political direction. Mursalin announced the decision in a Facebook post in the afternoon, saying he had stepped down from all posts and responsibilities of the NCP with immediate effect. “I am Khan Muhammad Mursalin. After serving as the central joint chief coordinator of the National Citizen Party, I have decided to resign from all positions and responsibilities of the NCP from today,” he wrote. He, however, made it clear that he is not quitting politics. “I am resigning from the NCP, not from politics. We will meet again on the streets”. In a subsequent video message, Mursalin said he joined the NCP after the 2024 mass uprising as the party spoke of the need for a new political order, a new constitution and a break from the colonial legacy—aspirations he felt aligned with his own struggle. “I considered them my fellow travellers and comrades. That hope and aspiration led me to join the NCP,” he said, alleging that the party later failed to empower the core forces of the uprising, particularly working class people who, according to him, made the greatest sacrifices. “The workers who gave the most lives in the uprising could not be brought to the centre of power, nor could they be built up as a political constituency,” Mursalin claimed. He further alleged that women—mothers and sisters who marched with the bodies of their brothers—have since become the most marginalised and were deliberately pushed out of the spotlight. Mursalin said the NCP has failed to fulfil the aspirations of students and the masses that emerged from the uprising. “The current path of the NCP and the path of our mass political movement have now diverged in two different directions.” Following the NCP’s decision to join an alliance with Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and like-minded parties, around 10 leaders and activists have reportedly resigned from the party so far due to ideological disagreements. Among them are central leaders Tasnim Jara and Tajnuva Jabeen. Mahfuj Alam rules out joining NCP over Jamaat alliance Several others, though not resigning, have withdrawn from electoral politics. Monira Sharmin has announced she will not contest the election, while NCP leader Nusrat Tabassum said she will remain inactive during the election period. Meanwhile, the NCP leadership has said the alliance with Jamaat-e-Islami was formed to ensure broader unity ahead of the 13th national election and a proposed referendum. Party leaders said the move is an electoral arrangement, not an ideological compromise.

Former Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan on Monday joined the National Citizen Party (NCP), with the party announcing his appointment as its spokesperson and head of the election steering committee. NCP Convener Nahid Islam made the announcement at an emergency press briefing held at the party’s temporary office in the city's Banglamotor in the evening. “Asif is our long-time associate. Through discussions at the party forum, we have decided to appoint him as the party spokesperson. He will also serve as the chief of NCP’s election management committee,” Nahid said. He said although NCP Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary had been overseeing the election management committee so far, the responsibility has now been handed over to Asif as Patwary is contesting the upcoming election. “The committee will be reorganised under Asif’s leadership,” Nahid said. Reacting to his joining the party, Asif said he would not contest the election this time. “Rather than going to Parliament alone, I believe my journey will be meaningful if I can help send my comrades to Parliament to fulfil the aspirations of the July uprising. That is why I joined NCP,” he said. Mahfuj Alam rules out joining NCP over Jamaat alliance Asif also said he would work on the frontlines of NCP’s election campaign and urged voters to cast a ‘Yes’ vote in the referendum. “If you vote ‘Yes’, Bangladesh will move 100 years ahead and the aspirations of July will be fulfilled,” he said. Earlier, on December 10, Asif resigned from his post as adviser. He had previously announced plans to contest the election from the Dhaka-10 constituency. Although there had been speculation about his possible joining of Gono Adhikar Parishad, he ultimately chose to join NCP.  

National Citizen Party (NCP) joined an alliance led by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and other like-minded parties, citing the need for a broader unity to protect the generation that actively participated in the July uprising, NCP Convener Nahid Islam said on Sunday (December 28, 2025). Nahid made the announcement at an urgent press conference held at NCP’s temporary office in the city's Banglamotor in the evening. “We initially intended to contest the election independently and had prepared to field candidates in all 300 constituencies. However, incidents such as the killing of Osman Hadi, spokesperson of the Inqilab Moncho, prompted us to reconsider and take a new decision,” Nahid said. Referring to ongoing conspiracies to disrupt the February elections, he said the main aim of the defeated forces is to destroy the July generation. “To preserve the dreams of the July generation, NCP has joined hands with Jamaat”. Read more: Mahfuj Alam rules out joining NCP over Jamaat alliance Nahid emphasised that the alliance seeks broader unity to reform the country, ensure justice for the July mass killings, and curb hegemony and corruption. “From that perspective, we have joined this alliance to ensure a competitive election.” The decision to ally with Jamaat has sparked mixed reactions within NCP. Central leaders such as Tasnim Jara and Tajnuva Jabeen resigned, while leaders including Samantha Sharmin and Monira Sharmin openly opposed the move. “We have taken the decision based on the majority opinion. The party will continue to operate according to its rules,” Nahid said. When asked how NCP’s ideology aligns with Jamaat, he replied, “For now, the alliance is purely for electoral purposes. Post-election, we will decide whether to move forward together. The primary focus of the current alliance is the 13th national election and referendum.” Regarding seat-sharing, Nahid said, “No final decision has been made yet. We will announce the details at a press conference on Monday.” Earlier in the day, Jamaat Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman, at an urgent press briefing with like-minded parties, announced NCP’s formal entry into the alliance. Besides NCP, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has also joined the coalition. After the July uprising, Jamaat-e-Islami, Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Khelafat Majlis, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis, Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon, Bangladesh Nezame Islam Party and Jatiya Ganatantrik Party (JaGaPa) began discussions to field single candidates in all constituencies through seat-sharing arrangements. Read more: ‘I won’t resign, though NCP deviated from founding goal’: Samantha The Bangladesh Development Party later joined the process, forming an eight-party alliance that carried out prolonged joint movements on various demands. With the fresh inclusion of NCP and LDP in the electoral understanding, the number of parties in the Jamaat-led alliance has now risen to ten.

National Citizen Party (NCP) has deviated from its original political objective by joining an alliance led by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, but there is no justification for her to resign from the party, said NCP Senior Joint Convener Samantha Sharmin on Sunday evening. In a Facebook post, Samantha said she learned from Jamaat’s press conference that the NCP had formally joined the Jamaat-led alliance of like-minded parties. Samantha said such a move was not supposed to happen, citing the statement made by alliance spokesperson and NCP Convener Nahid Islam on the day the Democratic Reform Alliance — comprising three parties — was launched. Referring to the alliance formed on December 7 with NCP, Amar Bangladesh Party (AB Party) and Bangladesh Rashtro Songskar Andolan, Samantha said the Rashtro Songskar Andolan has already accused the NCP of breaching the agreement. “Such a position undermines the initiative to build a third political force and damages the NCP’s mainstream political course. The Rashtro Songskar Andolan has alleged that NCP violated the agreement. The party even moved towards seat-sharing without formally informing the alliance,” she writes. Stating that the NCP has strayed from its core objective, Samantha alleged that “some individuals within the party deviated from its founding aspiration in exchange for a few parliamentary seats at 5:30pm on December 28, 2025.” Despite her strong criticism, Samantha said, she would not resign from the party. “I see no justification for resigning, as I formally subscribe to all the official narratives of the NCP. Even if some individuals have deviated, as a party NCP remained in the right position,” she wrote. Earlier in the afternoon, Jamaat Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman announced that the NCP and Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) had officially joined the Jamaat-led alliance of eight like-minded parties. He, however, said no final decision has yet been taken regarding seat-sharing. No NCP representative was present at the Jamaat alliance’s press conference. Later, NCP’s media cell said the party would hold a press conference later at night to formally announce its decision to join the Jamaat-led alliance.

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.

National Citizen Party (NCP) Senior Joint Member Secretary Dr Tasnim Jara resigned from the party on Saturday. In a message sent to the NCP's WhatsApp central group, Tasnim Jara wrote: “Dear comrades, I have resigned from the party. I have learned a great deal from you over the past one and a half years, for which I am sincerely grateful. Best wishes to you all.” Earlier in a Facebook post on her verified Facebook page, she announced her decision to contest the national election from Dhaka-9 constituency as an independent candidate. In a post on her verified Facebook page on Saturday, Tasnim Jara addressed residents of Khilgaon, Sabujbagh and Mugda, saying she was born and raised in Khilgaon and had dreamed of entering parliament under the banner of a political party to serve her constituency and the country. “However, considering the practical realities, I have decided not to contest the election as a candidate of any particular party or alliance,” she wrote. She said she remained committed to her promise to people to work for a new political culture and she would contest the election independently from Dhaka-9. “I promised you and the people of the country that I would fight for you and work to build a new political culture. No matter the circumstances, I am determined to keep that promise,” the post reads. Tasnim Jara said party-backed candidates usually benefit from organisational support, local offices and channels to communicate with the government and administration on issues such as security. “As I am not affiliated with any party, I will not have those advantages,” she said. “My only hope is you. If you support me considering my honesty, dedication and unwavering determination to practise new politics, only then will I get the opportunity to serve you,” she added.  

Tarique Rahman’s return to Bangladesh after nearly one and a half decades in exile should be seen not as a personal or party achievement, but as a significant milestone in the country’s continued democratic struggle, said Hasnat Abdullah, chief coordinator (Southern) of the National Citizen Party (NCP), on Thursday. In a post on his verified Facebook account in the evening, Hasnat said Tarique homecoming demonstrates that a Bangladeshi citizen and political leader’s right to return to his own soil cannot be permanently denied through state repression. “No matter how powerful an autocratic system may appear, it can never permanently suppress the political will of the people,” he wrote. Referring to the state persecution faced by Tarique Rahman and his family due to political dissent, which forced them into long years of exile, Hasnat described it as an open testament to the authoritarian rule of the past decade and a half. “It is important to remember that this return has been made possible by the blood of thousands of martyrs, the sacrifices of countless injured people, and the new political reality created through a mass uprising. This reality is not one of power, but one earned through the spontaneous struggle of the people,” he said. Hasnat said the aspiration in the post-uprising period is for a Bangladesh where dissent is not treated as a crime but recognised as a right, and where no one faces state persecution for political beliefs—instead, the state ensures protection of citizens’ rights. In the new Bangladesh, he said, democracy should not remain confined to the boundaries of elections alone; rather, it must encompass freedom of expression, the right to organise, and a fair environment for political competition. Breaking away from the restricted political space of the past one and a half decades, Hasnat said the country is now moving towards a freer Bangladesh, where ensuring the rule of law and political rights remains the central struggle. Tarique’s return to strengthen democratic practice: Nahid He stressed that this struggle must not be limited to any individual or party, and that ensuring the re-establishment of people’s sovereignty is the responsibility of every politician. Extending his wishes for the recovery and guidance of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, Hasnat welcomed the return of Tarique Rahman to the country. He expressed the hope that Khaleda Zia would recover soon and return to public life to provide leadership in completing the unfinished struggle against fascism. At the same time, he said, Tarique Rahman’s participation in the movement to build a democratic Bangladesh is expected to play a role in fulfilling the people’s aspirations and the responsibility of history.