Bangladesh Student-Led NCP Allies With Jamaat Ahead of Election, Triggers Internal Crisis

Post by : Saif Nasser

Bangladesh’s student-led National Citizen Party (NCP) has entered a controversial electoral alliance with Islamist party Jamaat-e-Islami ahead of the February parliamentary election, a move that has shaken the party from within and raised serious questions about its future direction.

The NCP emerged from last year’s powerful student protests that led to the fall of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. From the start, the party presented itself as a centrist and reform-minded force, promising to challenge corruption, nepotism, and the long-standing dominance of traditional political parties. Many young voters, professionals, and first-time political supporters were drawn to the NCP because it claimed to stand for clean and modern politics.

As election day approaches, however, the NCP has struggled to turn protest energy into votes. Opinion polls show the party lagging far behind its rivals. In response, NCP leaders decided to form an alliance with Jamaat-e-Islami, saying unity was needed in a fragmented political environment. Party chief Nahid Islam said the decision was made to strengthen their electoral position, and that the final list of candidates would be announced soon.

The decision has triggered deep internal divisions. Jamaat-e-Islami remains one of the most controversial parties in Bangladesh. It has long been criticized for opposing the country’s independence from Pakistan in 1971 and for alleged involvement in war-time abuses. Years of trials, bans on leaders, and political isolation have left Jamaat with a limited but loyal support base.

For many within the NCP, working with Jamaat crosses a line. Tasnim Jara, a senior party leader and a doctor who left her career in Britain to join the movement, resigned in protest. She announced that she would contest the election as an independent candidate. Several other members have also quit, showing how strongly some leaders and supporters oppose the alliance.

Public reaction has also been mixed. Some former NCP supporters say the alliance undermines the party’s founding principles. University students who once backed the movement now question whether it still represents change or has become just another political player willing to compromise its values for power.

The alliance comes at a time when older political forces are regaining strength. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), linked to former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and now led by her son Tarique Rahman, has gained momentum after Rahman’s return from nearly 17 years in exile. Recent surveys place the BNP in the lead, followed by Jamaat-e-Islami, with the NCP trailing far behind.

The February 12 election will take place under an interim government led by Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus, who took charge after Hasina’s removal. His administration is seen as crucial for restoring stability after years of political unrest and uncertainty.

Political analysts warn that while the alliance with Jamaat may offer short-term gains, it could damage the NCP’s long-term credibility. By stepping away from its original ideals, the party risks losing the trust of the very voters who believed it could reshape Bangladesh’s political system.

The coming election will be a defining moment for the National Citizen Party. Its decision to ally with Jamaat-e-Islami may help it survive the immediate political battle, but it could also decide whether the party has a lasting future or fades as another movement unable to hold together once it enters mainstream politics.