8 days, 13 resignations: Jamaat alliance leaves NCP divided as senior leaders walk out
Several explicitly cited the alliance with Jamaat as the primary reason for their departure
Since the National Citizen Party joined a 10-party political alliance led by the Jamaat-e-Islami, at least 13 of its central leaders have resigned so far, within just eight days.
In their resignation letters and public statements, the departing leaders raised several common allegations against their former party, including a lack of transparency in decision-making, political compromise, deviation from the spirit of the July Uprising and abandoning the path of a new political settlement in favour of alliance-based power politics.
Some explicitly cited the alliance with Jamaat as the primary reason for their departure.
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Moreover, even before the alliance was formally announced, 30 central NCP leaders submitted a memorandum to party convener Nahid Islam in late December, voicing objections to the proposed partnership.
But on 28 December, despite the objections, Jamaat Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman officially announced the alliance with the NCP at a press conference at the National Press Club in Dhaka.
At a separate press conference the same day, Nahid was asked whether the resignation of two senior women leaders and objections from several others over electoral seat-sharing with Jamaat were creating divisions within the NCP.
He said the decision had been taken following discussions within the party's executive body and was based on the majority view, adding that dissent and objections were natural in political decision-making.
However, the party convener maintained that the NCP central committee, grassroots leaders and activists across the country, and leaders of affiliated organisations were in agreement with the decision.
"We will talk to those who are opposing the decision and try to explain our position further. We hope they will ultimately stand by the NCP's decision," he said.
Mir Arshadul Haque
The first major resignation came on 25 December, as alliance discussions were beginning, when Mir Arshadul Hoque, the NCP's joint member secretary and its nominated candidate for Chattogram-16, quit the party.
Arshadul was also a member of the party's executive council, media cell and discipline committee, head of the environment cell, and chief coordinator of the Chattogram metropolitan unit.
Announcing his decision, he said the NCP had started its journey with a promise of a new political settlement inspired by the July Uprising. However, based on his 10 months of experience since the party's formation, he believed the leadership had failed to uphold that commitment.
"The dreams and possibilities that led me to join the NCP no longer exist," he said, adding, "I believe the party and a large section of its leadership are on the wrong path. I cannot walk that path."
He said he no longer had any political relationship with the NCP, although personal ties would remain.
In his statement, he also warned of growing instability, the use of religion to divide society, and attempts to create controversy over the Liberation War.
Tasnim Jara
On 27 December, Tasnim Jara resigned as joint member secretary. In a Facebook post, she said her dream had been to enter parliament through a political platform to serve her constituents and the country.
However, given the current reality, she said she had decided not to contest the election as a candidate of any specific party or alliance and instead run as an independent.
Tajnuva Jabeen
A day later, on 28 December, NCP joint convener, Tajnuva Jabeen, announced her resignation through Facebook. She had been nominated as the party's candidate for Dhaka-17 and was actively campaigning.
Referring to the seat-sharing arrangement with Jamaat, she wrote, "I would not be able to digest this event if I died." "I wouldn't be able to stomach this, even in death." She added that if she wanted to engage in hollow rhetoric and old-style politics, she would have joined an old party.
Azad Khan Bhashani
On 29 December, central NCP leader Azad Khan Bhashani, grandson of Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani, announced his decision to formally sever ties with the party. He had served as central organiser (north) and chief coordinator of the farmers' wing preparatory committee.
He said the party had failed to achieve the expected success in building a new political settlement and an independent identity.
Given the current context, he said, loyalty to the ideals of the Liberation War, the July Uprising and Maulana Bhashani's political philosophy had become paramount, prompting his decision to cut formal ties with the NCP.
Arif Sohel
Arif Sohel, NCP joint member secretary and central committee member, resigned on 30 December.
In a Facebook post, he said the party had been forced into "old power politics" by compromising with established traditional parties, thereby failing its historic responsibility to build a new political community and organise the "mass power" of the July Uprising.
Khaled Saifullah
On the night of 31 December, Tasnim's husband Khaled Saifullah, the party's joint convener and head of its policy and research wing, also resigned. In a brief letter to Nahid, he wrote, "I resign from all posts and responsibilities of the NCP," without offering further explanation.
Mushfiq Us Salehin
Mushfiq Us Salehin, secretary of the party's media cell, resigned on Thursday. He had additionally served as joint member secretary, executive council member, and co-lead of the policy and research wing.
In his resignation letter, Mushfiq cited a lack of internal democratic practice, opacity in decision-making and concerns about the political nature and consequences of the new alliance partners.
He said remaining in office was no longer compatible with his moral convictions and political responsibilities.
While the alliance might offer short-term electoral gains, Mushfiq warned it could undermine the long-term prospect of building a moderate, strong, self-reliant and Bangladesh-oriented political party.
Khan Md Morsalin
On the same day, in the evening, NCP joint chief coordinator, Khan Md Mursalin, also resigned.
In a video message, he alleged that the party had compromised with stakeholders of the old political order.
He said the NCP had failed to take a firm stance during the drafting of the July declaration and later made concessions even in the charter, weakening itself by failing to turn popular support into an organised political force.
As a result, Mursalin said, the party had been forced into compromises and collaborations with old political actors.
Other resignations
ICT Cell Head Farhad Alam Bhuiyan and Central Member Al Amin Ahmed Tutul also resigned on Thursday.
Earlier on 29 December, Asif Mostafa Jamal (Nehal), a resident of Chapainawabganj and a central leader of the NCP, resigned from the party, submitting his formal resignation letter to the party's member secretary. He also announced the decision on his Facebook page.
Other resignees include Mir Habib Al Manjur and Wahiduzzaman as confirmed by an NCP leader to The Business Standard.
