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Published : 18 Oct 2025, 03:20 AM
Negotiations are under way for an electoral alliance involving the National Citizen Party (NCP) and eight others, following dropped talks of integrating with Gono Odhikar Parishad.
The plan aims at voter centered cooperation ahead of elections.
NCP Senior Joint Convenor Samantha Sharmin said the party will not join existing camps of the BNP or Jamaat.
She said leadership is pushing for its own alliance, while strengthening its base and finalising its candidate list remain top priorities.
On the two main camps, Samantha added: “The BNP seems focused on drawing votes from the Awami League. From the Jamaat, what we see is a slowdown on the July Charter and judicial reforms.
“They appear more focused on elections than on the spirit of July or reforms.”
She noted the NCP has been presenting long arguments before the National Consensus Commission about the July Charter, the July Procalamation, Constituent Assembly, and a new Constitution.
Parties close to NCP, including Ganadhikar Parishad, Amar Bangladesh Party, AB Party, Ganatantrik Mancha’s Nagorik Oikya, Ganosamhati Andolon, Bangladesh Rastro Songskar Andolan, Revolutionary Workers Party, Bhasani Janashakti Party, and JaSaD, are calling for proportional representation (PR) in parliament, legal foundation for the Charter, and constitutional reforms.
BNP, however, does not support PR in the upper house, while Jamaat seeks PR in both chambers.
The NCP and parties involved in joint movements demand constitutional orders and public referendum before elections for July Charter implementation.
Leaders of the NCP, formed by youth leaders emerging from the July Uprising, want a coalition of young political parties outside the BNP and Jamaat blocs.
The party did not attend the Charter signing event, citing the legal basis of the July Charter as “unclear”.
However, its potential alliance partners have signed the Charter. This raises questions about whether the alliance formation will face obstacles.
Due to ideological alignment, discussions of a merger between Gono Odhikar Parishad and the NCP arose, but differences over leadership roles stalled the talks.
Subsequently, talks began to form an interim coalition of nine parties. NCP leaders discussed potential gains and risks of joining the two major blocs, with some supporting an alliance with the Jamaat and others with BNP. Most NCP leaders favoured forming a separate bloc.
NCP Senior Joint Convenor Ariful Islam Adib told bdnews24.com that the party is seeking a political and electoral alliance with Ganatantra Mancha and several other parties.
Gano Odhikar Parishad General Secretary Rashed Khan said, “To explore an electoral alliance, nine parties met to discuss legal basis for the July National Charter, state reforms, and free elections. We also discussed whether we could jointly participate in politics and elections.”
From September to October, three meetings have taken place among Ganatantra Mancha, AB Party, Gono Odhikar Parishad, and NCP.
In mid-September, six parties including the Jamaat launched a joint movement demanding five common issues.
Media reported that NCP and AB Party would participate, but NCP later denied participation, and AB Party did not join the joint movement with Jamaat. This led to renewed talks of forming a nine-party coalition.
Ganosamhati Andolon Chief Coordinator Zunaid Saki said, “Six parties including Ganosamhati were long involved in anti-fascist and pro-democracy movements with the BNP. We have political understanding with them and an electoral arrangement with the BNP.
“We are also negotiating with ideologically similar parties outside the BNP. Nothing has been finalised yet, discussions are ongoing and more time is needed for decisions.”
Revolutionary Workers Party General Secretary Saiful Haque said, “Ganatantra Mancha has worked with the BNP in joint movements over the past three and a half years. Even without an ongoing movement, there is general understanding with BNP.
“When elections come, we will prioritise arrangements with the BNP and also discuss with other democratic patriotic parties. This is still in the preliminary stage. Whether it becomes a political alliance or a seat-sharing arrangement has not been finalised. Decisions will come later.”
Asked if charter disagreements would affect alliance formation, he said: “Since the alliance has not yet formed, nothing can be said now. It is a matter for consideration. They still have time to sign and will decide accordingly.”
NCP senior joint convener Ariful Islam Adib said the charter issue will not negatively affect ongoing alliance discussions.
“It will not impact talks. The time for signing the Charter has not yet expired,” he added.
