NewKerala.com

Bangladesh Party Splinters as Leaders Quit Over "Suicidal" Islamist Alliance

Bangladesh's National Citizen Party is facing a severe internal crisis as 14 of its central leaders have resigned in protest against its electoral alliance with the radical Islamist party Jamaat-e-Islami. Critics within the party label the move a "suicidal decision" that betrays the ideals of the July 2024 protest movement from which the NCP was born. The resignations are spreading from the central leadership to district levels, with many more expected, causing key election candidates to withdraw. This disintegration has left families of 2024 protest victims feeling betrayed and uncertain about their demands, casting a shadow over the party's stability ahead of the February parliamentary elections.

Key Points: Top Leaders Quit Bangladesh's NCP Over Jamaat Alliance Before Polls

  • 14 top leaders resign
  • Alliance called "suicidal decision"
  • Betrayal of 2024 protest families
  • More resignations expected
  • Election candidates withdrawing
3 min read

Bangladesh polls: 14 top NCP leaders resign following alliance with Jamaat

14 top NCP leaders resign, calling alliance with Jamaat-e-Islami "anti-ideological" and a betrayal of 2024 protestors, causing internal collapse before Feb elections.

"The party... is now deceiving the July protestors and the common people. - Resigned NCP Senior Leader"

Dhaka, Jan 3

As Bangladesh heads towards its 13th Parliamentary election in February, the National Citizen Party is facing internal turmoil, after 14 central leaders of the party resigned following the party's alliance with the radical Islamist party Jamaat-e-Islami, local media reported.

A section within the NCP reportedly views the alliance with Jamaat as a deeply anti-ideological and politically 'suicidal decision', leading to a wave of resignations, while many of the top leaders within the party have become inactive.

Simultaneously, a debate has emerged in the political circles over the income disclosed in the election affidavit of NCP convener Nahid Islam, Bangladeshi Bengali daily Jugantor reported.

Meanwhile, beyond the political arena, people involved in the July 2024 demonstrations, including families of the deceased and those who were injured, reportedly stated that since the electoral agreement with Jamaat was reached, resignations have continued across the NCP, from the central leadership to various districts and divisional city leaders.

Reports suggest that several top leaders of NCP rejected the party's decision to ally with Jamaat and have withdrawn from the election-related activities.

Meanwhile, speaking to Jugantor, several NCP leaders on Friday indicated that the number of resignations from the party is set to rise sharply, with more leaders engaged in internal discussions about stepping down.

Many senior leaders who have already resigned have said that the party, formed out of the July 2024 demonstrations and the blood of the students and the masses, is now deceiving the July protestors and the common people.

Another family member of a deceased during the July demonstrations, on condition of anonymity, said, "Such disintegration and resignations in the NCP are making our demands uncertain. The government has not implemented most of the promises it made earlier. We are not getting assurances of cooperation even from the NCP, which is known as a pro-July political party. The party's prestige is declining day by day."

Several NCP leaders have alleged that the decision to ally with Jamaat was driven primarily by two "special" figures within the party, sidelining the majority of the central leadership.

"Although I have not resigned, I have already distanced myself from all the party's activities. Some top party leaders have said in unison that I should at least not resign. If I resign, most of the leaders leading the NCP in the central, divisional and various districts of the party will resign simultaneously," said a senior leader of the NCP, speaking to Jugantor on Friday.

As the internal rift widens, many leaders within the NCP have turned inactive, while several declared and potential candidates for various seats in the upcoming elections have also reportedly begun announcing their resignations.

Bangladesh elections scheduled for February 12 are unfolding among escalating political tensions, with dissatisfaction within the NCP intensifying over its decision to align with Jamaat in the upcoming polls.

- IANS

Share this article:

Reader Comments

R
Rahul R
From an Indian perspective, political stability in our neighbourhood is crucial. Internal fractures like this in a major party right before elections don't bode well. Hope the people of Bangladesh get a stable government that prioritises development.
A
Arun Y
The article mentions the convener's income affidavit is under debate. This is often where the real story is. If a "pro-people" party's leader has questionable finances, then allying with radical elements for political survival makes a sad kind of sense. Corruption is a global disease.
S
Sarah B
Respectfully, I think the focus should be on the families of the deceased protestors mentioned. Their cause is being forgotten in this political maneuvering. Their quote is heartbreaking – "our demands uncertain." This is the real cost of such alliances.
K
Karthik V
Looks like a classic case of "power at any cost" backfiring. When you abandon your core ideology and the people who brought you to the dance, you're left with nothing. The mass resignations show not everyone has sold their soul. Good for them.
M
Michael C
The senior leader who said if he resigns, many others will follow... that's a powerful statement. It shows the dissent is widespread but perhaps coordinated. February elections will be very tense. Hope the process remains peaceful.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50