In Bangladesh, talks between Jamaat-e-Islami and the National Citizen Party (NCP) over a possible seat-sharing arrangement for the upcoming 13th national parliamentary election have exposed growing internal divisions within the NCP.
Senior NCP leaders confirmed that discussions with Jamaat’s top leadership are ongoing, with the party initially seeking seat adjustments in at least 50 constituencies. While negotiations have progressed, no final agreement has been reached and a decision is expected within the next few days.
The talks have sparked dissent inside the NCP, with one faction supporting an alliance with Jamaat and another firmly opposing it. Reflecting the internal rift, Mir Arshadul Haque, joint member secretary of the NCP and a prominent critic of ties with Jamaat, resigned from the party yesterday.
Speculation intensified after activist Abdul Kader claimed in a Facebook post that the NCP had reduced its demand to around 30 seats and that an alliance announcement could be imminent. However, senior NCP leaders declined to confirm the claims, maintaining that discussions are still underway.
At the same time, NCP leaders are keeping communication channels open with the BNP following the return of its acting chairman Tarique Rahman to Bangladesh, raising the possibility of renewed talks with the party.
Confirming the negotiations, Jamaat-e-Islami Assistant Secretary General Hamidur Rahman Azad said discussions with the NCP are continuing, while NCP leaders said clarity on any potential alliance would emerge soon.
