NCP, AB Party and Rastro Songskar Andolan set to announce new alliance today
The three parties have reached a consensus on forming the alliance after extensive discussions, says Rastro Songskar Andolan President Hasnat Kaiyum.
The National Citizen Party (NCP), Amar Bangladesh Party (AB Party), and Rastro Songskar Andolan are set to announce an election-focused alliance today (7 December) afternoon.
The formal announcement will be made at 4pm today at the Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU), several NCP leaders said.
Rastro Songskar Andolan President Hasnat Kaiyum confirmed the matter to The Business Standard, saying the three parties have reached a consensus on forming the alliance after extensive discussions.
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The platform will remain open for other parties to join as well, he added.
Hasnat said United People's Bangladesh (UP Bangladesh) will not be included for now due to objections from the NCP.
Gono Odhikar Parishad will also not be part of the alliance at this stage, he mentioned.
Beyond this, discussions are ongoing with Nagorik Oikko and several Islamic parties, Hasnat said.
NCP leaders said that although the party had previously planned to contest the election alone, the evolving situation has led them to pursue an alliance.
Earlier, on Friday night, NCP Convener Nahid Islam had told reporters that the party had not reached any public or private understanding with anyone.
"Yet the media has been spreading misinformation and negative coverage about us. People want to see new possibilities and new leadership. The NCP is moving forward independently to offer that politics," he said.
He added that the NCP is preparing for the election in its own way and is in the process of finalising its list of candidates.
"We want to advance our political agenda. We are not interested in joining any alliance, although a third alliance process is ongoing," Nahid said.
Nahid further said, "However, we have not stopped discussing or considering alliances with political parties. Decisions must be taken based on the situation. If any such decision becomes necessary to protect the interests of the people, we are open to it. But we are not currently in any alliance process or negotiation with anyone. We are preparing on our own."
