NCP discusses seat-sharing with Jamaat, no final decision yet

The executive committee of the National Citizen Party (NCP) has held discussions on a possible seat-sharing agreement with Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami ahead of the national election, but the party has yet to reach a final decision, NCP leaders said.

A meeting was held last night (24 December) at the party's temporary office in Banglamotor in the capital, with NCP Convener Nahid Islam presiding.

Sources said the discussion centred on election-related agendas, including alliances and candidate selection.

Speaking to The Business Standard this afternoon (25 December), NCP Joint Member Secretary and Media Cell Editor Mushfiq Us Saleheen said, "Yes, discussions were held on elections, alliances and politics. However, no decision has been taken."

When asked specifically about seat-sharing with Jamaat, Saleheen said he had been instructed by party convener Nahid Islam not to comment on the issue.

Meanwhile, Jamaat Assistant Secretary General Hamidur Rahman Azad told The Business Standard that discussions are ongoing with several parties beyond its existing eight-party alliance.

"Very soon the understanding will be finalised. Hopefully, we will be able to make an announcement within two days," he said.

NCP Joint Convener Sarwar Tushar said the executive committee meeting discussed political alliances and candidate lists.

"There was discussion about forming an alliance or seat-sharing with Jamaat, but no final decision has been taken. We will need to wait another two days for a decision," he added. 

Several NCP leaders said discussions with Jamaat representatives have been ongoing for the past few days and may continue, with a final decision expected soon.

NCP Joint Chief Organiser Saifullah Haider said the party's position remained firm on reforms. 

"Over the past one and a half years, we have seen how some parties want to climb the blood-soaked ladder of July only to grab power, and who have obstructed reforms of the state, politics and society," he told The Business Standard.

"Now we are hearing from all sides that a major party is instructing its grassroots to campaign against voting. NCP will not allow July to be defeated. There will be no compromise on state reforms," he said.

"NCP will move forward with those among the contending parties whose positions on reforms align with ours. We will welcome any understanding that helps advance reform politics," he added.

Mixed reactions over discussions

The reported talks between NCP and Jamaat have drawn mixed reactions, particularly from leaders of the July movement.

Former president of the Bangladesh Democratic Students' Union's Dhaka University unit, Abdul Kader, wrote in a Facebook post this morning that "the grave of youth politics is about to be dug".

"If everything goes according to plan, the announcement of this alliance may come tomorrow. Through this, the NCP will, in effect, be absorbed into the womb of Jamaat," he wrote.

He further claimed that the NCP initially demanded 50 seats from Jamaat, which was later finalised at 30 seats after negotiations.

"Under the terms of the alliance, the NCP will not field candidates in the remaining 270 seats and will instead support Jamaat in those constituencies," Kader wrote, adding that Jamaat would provide Tk1.5 crore per seat to NCP as election expenses.

Responding to Abdul Kader's remarks, Sarwar Tushar said, "He is not an NCP leader. He does politics on Facebook and says different things at different times. His comments have no connection with our policy decisions."

Asked whether any NCP delegation would meet Jamaat representatives today, Tushar said he was unaware of such a meeting.

Differences within NCP alliance

Meanwhile, Bangladesh Rastro Songskar Andolon, an alliance partner of the NCP, expressed concern over reports of NCP holding talks with BNP or Jamaat.

Didar Bhuiyan, joint general secretary of the party, told The Business Standard, "The basis of our three-party alliance discussions was to bring a third political force into the mainstream outside the BNP-Jamaat bloc. From that perspective, we are not viewing NCP's efforts to form such alliances positively."

He added that the alliance would formally brief the media on the issue in due course.