Muktdesh Desk: The National Citizen Party (NCP) is in regular contact with the BNP regarding seat distribution and future political strategy ahead of the 13th National Parliament elections. The party is interested in reaching an agreement with the BNP on at least 20 seats. In addition, they have also demanded inclusion in the cabinet if the BNP forms the government.
Sources from both parties said that the discussions are still at an informal stage. No final decision has been made on whether the NCP will form an alliance with the BNP or go to the elections alone. It is also known that some influential leaders of the party are also in personal contact with the leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami.
BNP sources say that in addition to seat distribution, the NCP leaders also want assurance of their future political security. They have demanded that if BNP comes to power, three NCP leaders should be given a place in the cabinet. However, BNP has not yet made any clear commitment in this regard.
The NCP wants an agreement with the BNP on a total of 20 seats, including four in Dhaka. BNP wants the NCP not to make any electoral agreement with Jamaat or the alliance led by them.
It is learnt that although Jamaat has offered to give more benefits to NCP, many NCP leaders want the party to maintain a moderate stance by avoiding a right-wing image.
NCP convener Nahid Islam said, we will consider unity or compromise with parties that are close to our basic demands.
NCP has already formed a central election management committee, with Nasiruddin Patwari as president and Tasnim Zara as secretary. The party has started candidate selection, campaigning and field work with an eye on the 2026 elections.
NCP leaders said that convener Nahid Islam can contest from Dhaka-11, member secretary Akhtar Hossain from Rangpur-4, Nasiruddin Patwari from Dhaka-18 or Chandpur-5, Tasnim Zara from Dhaka-9 and Ariful Islam Adeeb from Dhaka-14. Apart from this, Sarjis Alam, the chief organizer of the northern region, is preparing from Panchagarh-1, Hasnat Abdullah, the chief organizer of the southern region, from Comilla-4, and Abdul Hannan Masud from Noakhali-6.
BNP has fielded candidates in the remaining seats except Dhaka-9 and Dhaka-18. However, it is not clear whether they have kept those two seats for the NCP.
Mahfuz Alam and Asif Mahmud, advisors to the current interim government, are serving as representatives of the students. Although they are not directly involved in NCP politics, party sources say that they have influence on various decisions of the party.
NCP sources say that Asif Mahmud is interested in resigning from the government and contesting from Dhaka-10 if the seat is shared with BNP. This could be on the NCP’s nomination or as an independent candidate. On the other hand, if there is an agreement with BNP, Mahfuz Alam is willing to contest from Lakshmipur-1 constituency. BNP has already kept Dhaka-10 and Lakshmipur-1 constituencies vacant. However, it has not been confirmed whether they are reserved for these two advisors. However, it is known that Bangladesh LDP Chairman Shahadat Hossain Selim has almost received a sure signal from BNP as the candidate of the alliance in Lakshmipur-1 constituency.
Meanwhile, on Wednesday (November 5) in Narayanganj, Nahid Islam met the family of July Uprising martyr Gazi Salahuddin and said, “We are preparing for the elections alone. However, we will consider an alliance with those who agree with our demands for reforms and the July Charter.”
Regarding the deadline for announcing the list of candidates, he said, the list will be published by November 15. Regarding the three seats where BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia will contest, Nahid Islam said, “We will not field candidates in all those seats out of respect for Khaleda Zia and those who have fought against fascism and for democracy. However, we will announce candidates in the maximum number of seats.” Transforming the Country