NCP, LDP join Jamaat-led alliance
The seat-sharing agreement is nearly finalised, says Jamaat chief
Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman has announced that the National Citizen Party (NCP) and the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) have joined the Jamaat-led eight-party alliance.
Speaking at a press briefing this afternoon (28 December), the Jamaat chief described the move as timely amid "a critical phase in the country's national life."
He said, "The seat-sharing agreement is nearly finalised, and the remaining nominations will soon be submitted. We remain optimistic about the process."
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Shafiqur said through discussions and negotiations, an agreement has been reached on several seats.
"While more parties have expressed interest in joining the alliance, such an arrangement is not possible at the moment," he added.
Jamaat Ameer Shafiqur Rahman, LDP Chairman Col (retd) Oli Ahmed, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis Ameer Mamunul Haque, Islami Andolan Bangladesh Presidium Member Ashraf Ali Akon, Jamaat Assistant Secretary General Hamidur Rahman Azad, and other leaders were present at the press conference.
With the joining of NCP and LDP, the number of parties in the alliance has increased to 10.
NCP leaders split over Jamaat alliance
Yesterday, 30 NCP leaders submitted a letter of protest to party Convener Nahid Islam, citing objections to the party's move to forge an electoral alliance with the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami-led alliance.
Hours after, another 80 NCP leaders sent a letter to Nahid Islam expressing their support for an alliance or seat-sharing arrangement that the party leadership may decide to pursue ahead of the upcoming polls.
Their moves came after NCP leader Tasnim Jara resigned from the party's senior joint member secretary post and announced that she will contest the upcoming election as an independent candidate from Dhaka-9 constituency.
Meanwhile, Tajnuva Jabeen today announced her resignation as joint convener of the National Citizen Party (NCP) and said she will not be contesting the upcoming general election.
She made the announcement in a Facebook post today, objecting to the party's move to form an alliance with the Jamaat-e-Islami.
The National Citizen Party (NCP), a new political party formed by student leaders of the July mass uprising, was launched on 28 February at Dhaka's Manik Mia Avenue, with the leaders aiming at establishing a democratic state based on rights and dignity.
Nahid Islam was appointed as the party's convenor, with Akhter Hossain serving as member secretary.
LDP's alliance journey
Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) was formed on 26 October 2006 by Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh President Badruddoza Chowdhury, BNP leader Col (retd) Oli Ahmad and 24 other former members of parliament and ministers from the BNP.
Shortly after its formation, Badruddoza and his followers returned to Bikalpa Dhara, leaving Oli Ahmad as party president and former speaker Sheikh Razzak Ali as executive president. Initially, the LDP allied with the Awami League-led grand alliance.
Ahead of the 2008 election, LDP left the grand alliance to contest independently, with Oli Ahmad winning his sixth term from Chattogram-13.
In 2012, the party joined the 18-party alliance led by the BNP. For the 2018 election, LDP was part of the Jukto Front alliance alongside the Krishak Sramik Janata League and the Islamic Party of Bangladesh.
