Bangladesh Election Alliance Sparks Rift Inside Reformist NCP

The National Citizen Party has entered a new Bangladesh election alliance with Jamaat-e-Islami ahead of the February vote. The move was confirmed on December 28 in Dhaka. It has already caused resignations inside the party. The alliance aims to boost its share of seats in the coming national polls.

The NCP rose from last year’s protest movement that forced Sheikh Hasina from office. The group says it wants a centrist path and cleaner politics. But its new partnership has raised doubts among many young supporters who helped shape its rise.

Bangladesh Election Alliance Raises Internal Tension

The NCP chief said the alliance was made to build unity in a crowded field. He said a final list of candidates will follow soon. According to Reuters, several members saw the move as a simple deal to gain votes in tight races.

The alliance created fast pushback. A senior NCP figure, Tasnim Jara, quit the party a day before the announcement. She plans to run as an independent. Other members also walked away.

Jamaat-e-Islami has a long and disputed past. It faced criticism for its stance during the 1971 war. It also saw trials and bans over the past years. Still, it holds a loyal voter base and remains active in politics.

Analysts say the new tie-up may shift vote patterns. They say this could help the NCP win more seats. But they also warn that it may weaken the party’s reform image.

Political Shifts Ahead of Key Vote

Bangladesh heads to the polls on February 12. An interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus is now in charge. He took office after unrest and promises to restore stability.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party has also regained strength. Its acting leader, Tarique Rahman, returned to the country after many years abroad. This boosted support for the BNP ahead of the vote.

A recent survey by the International Republican Institute showed the NCP far behind the BNP and Jamaat. The NCP had only 6 percent support. The BNP held 30 percent and Jamaat reached 26 percent.

Experts say the new Bangladesh election alliance may help the NCP in the short term. But they also warn it may cost the party trust among young voters. They say it could reshape the political map once again.

The Bangladesh election alliance remains under watch. It may change the tone of the coming campaign. It will also test the NCP’s hold on its core supporters as voting nears.

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Q1: Why did the NCP form the Bangladesh election alliance?

The party said it wanted unity before the vote. Leaders believe the alliance may help gain more seats. They also said it was a practical step.

Q2: Why are NCP members resigning?

Some members say the alliance breaks the party’s core values. They disagree with joining hands with Jamaat. They chose to step away instead.

Q3: How strong is the NCP in surveys?

The IRI survey shows the NCP at 6 percent support. The BNP leads the field. Jamaat holds second place in the poll.

Q4: How could the alliance affect the vote?

It may help the NCP gain more influence. But it may also upset young supporters. The final impact will be clear on election day.

Q5: Who leads the interim government?

Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus leads the interim team. He aims to guide the country to a stable vote. He took charge after the protests.

Trusted Sources: Reuters, AP, BBC