Bangladesh's National Citizen Party Aligns with Jamaat-e-Islami

The National Citizen Party (NCP), established by leaders from the July Agitation, has announced its partnership with the Islamist Jamaat-e-Islami as they prepare for the upcoming elections in Bangladesh scheduled for February 2026. This development was confirmed on Sunday by Jamaat Ameer Shafiqur Rahman, as reported by Bangladeshi media outlets.

Shafiqur Rahman stated that the NCP and the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) have joined the existing coalition, expanding it to a ten-party alliance. He mentioned having spoken with NCP Convener Nahid Islam regarding this collaboration, with a formal announcement expected by the evening, according to the Dhaka Tribune.

The decision to ally with Jamaat-e-Islami has prompted several resignations within the NCP. Many leaders, including Nahid Islam, have faced internal opposition, with reports indicating that a significant number of NCP leaders supported the alliance. A letter from thirty central committee members opposing the partnership was sent to Nahid Islam just before the announcement, as per the Dhaka Tribune.

Conversely, The Daily Star reported that over 170 central committee members expressed their support for the alliance with Jamaat-e-Islami. Just prior to the official statement from Shafiqur Rahman, Tajnuva Jabeen, a joint convener of the NCP, resigned, citing her dissatisfaction with the party's decision-making process and its move towards collaboration with Jamaat.

The NCP has been negotiating for a specific number of seats in the upcoming elections for the 350-member Jatiyo Sangsad, with initial demands of 50 seats reported by Prothom Alo. However, sources suggest that the NCP has since adjusted its expectations, now seeking 30 seats instead. Abdul Kader, a prominent figure in anti-government protests, indicated that the discussions have narrowed down to this figure.

Some factions within the NCP are reportedly attempting to re-establish connections with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), especially following the return of its Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman after a prolonged absence of 17 years. The NCP's origins stem from student protests that had previously endorsed Muhammad Yunus as a temporary leader following Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's removal in August 2024.

Abdul Kader, reflecting on the alliance, remarked on Facebook that the NCP's absorption into Jamaat-e-Islami would signify a detrimental shift for youth politics in Bangladesh. He described the merger as akin to digging the "grave of youth politics" in the country.

The protests that led to Prime Minister Hasina's ousting were marked by anti-India sentiments and incidents targeting minority groups, which underscored the influential role of Islamist factions in the July 2024 protests.

Warnings regarding the potential repercussions of this alliance have been voiced by NCP leaders. Samantha Sharmin, the NCP's Senior Joint Convener, cautioned that joining forces with Jamaat-e-Islami could lead to significant costs for the party. She stressed the fundamental differences in ideology between the two groups, suggesting that cooperation might compromise the NCP's core values.

Initially, the NCP had declared its intention to contest independently across all 300 constituencies and later formed the Democratic Reform Alliance with other parties, pledging to remain free from the influence of both the BNP and Jamaat. However, as the elections approach, the NCP has found itself gravitating towards alliances, creating divisions within the party itself.

This internal struggle has seen factions emerge, with some advocating for collaboration with Jamaat, while others explore ties with the BNP, particularly in light of Tarique Rahman's return.

The Jamaat-e-Islami has a controversial history, having opposed Bangladesh's liberation from Pakistan in 1971 and being implicated in war crimes during that period. Some of its leaders were convicted and executed for their roles in the violence.

Following the announcement from Shafiqur Rahman, an NCP leader elaborated on the reasons for choosing Jamaat over the BNP. NCP Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain cited an agreement on a reform proposal as a key factor in this decision, emphasising the party's focus on rebuilding the country and establishing a new governance framework for Bangladesh.

Hossain's remarks highlight the underlying ideological shifts within the NCP, as many of its leaders have begun to exhibit traits aligned with Jamaat. Earlier this month, NCP leader Hasnat Abdullah made headlines by suggesting that instability in Bangladesh could lead to support for separatists from India's northeastern states.

The recent student-led protests that resulted in Hasina's ousting have raised concerns about the infiltration of Islamist ideologies within the NCP. This alliance, despite earlier commitments to avoid such partnerships, raises questions about the party's integrity and future direction.