NCP weighs solo run to build ‘third force’

Many members of the National Citizen Party (NCP) are reluctant to contest the upcoming national election as part of a BNP- or Jamaat-e-Islami-led alliance, as the party seeks to emerge as a distinct third political force.

While discussions with BNP and Jamaat on possible seat-sharing continue, several NCP leaders believe the party should build its own identity by contesting all 300 constituencies or forming a new alliance with parties outside the two major blocs.

They acknowledged that joining hands with BNP or Jamaat could bring short-term gains, such as a few winnable seats, but warned it might weaken the party's long-term vision.

Leaders also said an alliance with BNP would make NCP share responsibility for its recent controversies, while a deal with Jamaat could threaten the party's survival.

These issues were discussed at a six-hour national committee meeting on Friday evening at the party's office in Banglamotor.

NCP Convener Nahid Islam, Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain, and Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary attended the meeting, while two key organisers, Hasnat Abdullah and Sarjis Alam, were absent.

After the meeting, several leaders spoke with The Daily Star.

"We are preparing to contest the election independently to demonstrate our ability to field candidates in all 300 constituencies," said NCP Joint Convener Sarwar Tushar.

He said, "We are also discussing forming a third political alliance outside BNP and Jamaat, but nothing has been finalised yet. Everything remains uncertain until the implementation order of the July Charter is issued."

"When that happens, we will observe other parties' activities and finalise our strategy," he added.

Meeting sources said Nahid and Patwary proposed that the party contest the election independently, a move most members supported, saying it would allow NCP to avoid unexpected complications.

A major part of the discussion focused on the pros and cons of forming an alliance with BNP or Jamaat.

One central leader said, "We know that joining the BNP-Jamaat alliance could help us win seats, but BNP's current stance and approach to the July charter and state reforms don't align with ours."

According to a meeting source, the leader noted that BNP's actions over the past year had raised concerns and said joining them would make NCP accountable for those issues.

Leaders also questioned whether BNP activists would campaign for NCP candidates and warned about potential rebel contenders from BNP in shared constituencies.

Regarding Jamaat, an NCP leader said the party had offered positive proposals but warned that its dominance could overshadow NCP.

Also, Jamaat carries a "heavy historical burden", said the leader.

A senior leader cautioned that Jamaat coming to power could trigger a "resurgence of religious extremism", said another meeting source.

While most leaders supported an independent run, they also discussed forming a third front with like-minded parties such as the AB Party and Gano Odhikar Parishad.

"We may not form a nine-party alliance, but a smaller front is possible," said one central leader. "Talks are ongoing with the AB Party and a few others."

However, sources said parties like Gano Odhikar Parishad and Gano Samhati Andolon have little interest in joining a new alliance, as many are already linked to the BNP-led coalition through seat-sharing.

The meeting also discussed the option of coordinating election participation based on the July charter, state reforms, and seat conditions, without entering a formal alliance with BNP or Jamaat.