'Don't compete with your father': NCP calls Golam Porwar's remarks 'arrogant' and an 'act of misconduct'

The National Citizen Party (NCP) has criticised the recent remarks made by Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar, calling his statement "arrogant" and an act of "misconduct".

However, Jamaat's Assistant Secretary General Ahsanul Mahboob Zubair said Porwar made some "by the by" comments without naming any individual or party, reports BBC Bangla. 

Since the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government in August 2024, Jamaat-e-Islami and the coordinators of the uprising had been seen maintaining a cordial relationship.

Several of those coordinators later emerged as Shibir leaders and even won student union elections.

During the anti-Hasina movement, many political figures were also rumored to be indirectly affiliated with Jamaat or Shibir.

After NCP was officially launched as a party in February this year, both parties appeared to maintain a friendly relationship. NCP leaders often made critical remarks hinting at the BNP, and some even shared posts on social media.

However, NCP had not previously made any negative comments about Jamaat. Even before NCP's formation, its convener Nahid Islam's remark — that "joining the uprising has atoned for Jamaat's past actions" — drew wide political attention.

Recently, both Jamaat and NCP have been vocal about the proportional representation (PR) issue — Jamaat pushing for it in the upcoming national election, while NCP demanded the same system for the proposed upper house of parliament.

But tensions arose suddenly following a Facebook post by NCP Convener Nahid Islam, which surprised many in political circles.

In his post on 19 October, Nahid wrote, "The so-called movement that Jamaat-e-Islami launched over the PR system was actually a well-planned political deception."

He further added, "That movement was deliberately designed to divert the national discussion and reform process of the Consensus Commission away from the real questions of state and constitutional reconstruction after the uprising."

Later, Jamaat-e-Islami responded sharply to his comments. Its Assistant Secretary General Hamidur Rahman Azad told BBC Bangla, "When making remarks about another party, one should maintain political decorum."

Shortly after, a statement by Golam Porwar at a party rally in Satkhira sparked further debate.

Porwar said, "A certain group has posted on Facebook saying we had no role in the uprising, reform, or nation-building. Oh dear, you're just a new student group — if you want to compete with Jamaat-e-Islami in politics, you have a long way to go. Don't try to compete with your father right after being born."

He further added, "They want us to criticise them. But no one even mentions their name. If a big party like Jamaat says something about them, it's an honour. We don't take them that seriously. They still have a long way to go to understand Jamaat's political maturity." 

According to BBC Bangla, many observers believe Porwar's remarks have brought the tension between the two parties into the open, prompting strong reactions within the NCP.

NCP Joint Convener Samanta Sharmin told BBC Bangla, "In politics, parties often criticise each other, but Golam Parwar's comments about NCP were not only discourteous but also politically arrogant."

"They are senior politicians — old enough to be our fathers or grandfathers. We did not expect such remarks from them," she said.

Senior Joint Convener Ariful Islam Adib also criticised Porwar's remarks, saying they had pushed back the culture of political civility. 

"Aspiring to be someone's 'father' in politics reflects a serious attitudinal problem. The uprising is everyone's father. NCP was born out of that context — the uprising is the parent of all current political movements," he said.

"Those who once followed others' commands during the uprising are now claiming to be the commanders themselves — that's a kind of political immaturity or misconduct," Adib told BBC Bangla.

In defense, Jamaat Assistant Secretary General Ahsanul Mahboob Zubair said Golam Parwar's comments came from a position of affection.

"He didn't mention any names. He spoke from a place of concern and affinity. We were comrades in the anti-fascist movement and are now working together to rebuild the nation. There's nothing beyond that," Zobair said.