Political bombshell in Bangladesh: Student-led NCP joins hands with Islamist Jamaat ahead of polls

NCP convener Nahid Islam told Dhaka Tribune that the decision was taken in the interest of reforms and broader political unity.

“For the implementation of reforms and the sake of broader unity, we have reached an electoral understanding with Jamaat,” Islam said.

Referring to recent violence, Islam said the killing of Sharif Osman Hadi highlighted the continued presence of “hegemonic forces” in the country. “The dictatorship we overthrew on August 5 is attempting to sabotage the election. Therefore, for the sake of greater unity, we have reached an electoral understanding with Jamaat,” he added.

Islam said the NCP had initially planned to contest the elections independently and had already distributed nomination papers. “We later formed a three-party alliance. However, following the shooting and killing of Sharif Osman Hadi, we realised there is a plan to hinder the progress of the new Bangladesh and destroy the July generation,” he said.

Also Read: Exile ends, ballot begins: Tarique Rahman registers as voter as Bangladesh heads to polls

He added that discussions with Jamaat-e-Islami and like-minded parties were necessary to ensure a competitive election. “We have reached an electoral understanding with them and will contest the election together,” Islam said.

Jamaat-e-Islami appears to be seeking a renewed foothold in Bangladeshi politics following the fall of the Sheikh Hasina-led government, which ruled the country for 15 years. Islamist groups, largely suppressed during Hasina’s tenure, have attempted to regroup since her departure.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman said on Sunday that, in addition to the NCP, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has also joined the alliance.

According to The Business Standard, Rahman described the development as timely amid “a critical phase in the country’s national life.” “The seat-sharing agreement is nearly finalised, and the remaining nominations will soon be submitted. We remain optimistic about the process,” he said.

The alliance has triggered internal divisions within the NCP. At least 30 party leaders submitted a letter of protest to convener Nahid Islam, objecting to the decision to align with the Jamaat-led bloc. Hours later, another 80 NCP leaders sent a separate letter expressing support for whatever alliance or seat-sharing arrangement the party leadership decides to pursue, The Business Standard reported.

Amid the turmoil, NCP leader Tasnim Jara resigned from her post as senior joint member secretary, announcing that she would contest the polls as an independent candidate from the Dhaka-9 constituency.

Bangladesh has witnessed a resurgence of Islamist forces in recent months, raising concerns among minority communities. With Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League barred from contesting the elections, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is widely expected to emerge as the frontrunner.

BNP’s key leader and former prime minister Khaleda Zia’s son, Tarique Rahman, returned to Bangladesh last week after 17 years in exile, re-entering the country’s mainstream political arena.