Mahfuj Alam refuses to join NCP after Jamaat alliance

“It is not true that I was not approached by the Jamaat-NCP alliance,” the former advisor says

Former student advisor Mahfuj Alam has ruled out joining the National Citizen Party (NCP), declaring that he is “not becoming part of this NCP”.

A few hours after the announcement of NCP’s “electoral pact” with the Jamaat-e-Islami, Mahfuj took to Facebook.

“My respect, affection, and friendship for my July comrades will not fade under current realities. But I am not joining this NCP. It is not true that I was not offered to join the Jamaat–NCP alliance.”

“Rather than becoming a candidate of the Jamaat-NCP alliance in any Dhaka constituency, it is more important for me to uphold my long-standing position,” the 2024 July Uprising leader Mahfuj said.

Since the announcement of the schedule for the election and referendum, the NCP has begun the electoral campaign using the "Shapla Koli" symbol.

On Dec 7, a three-party “Democratic Reform Alliance” was announced under NCP leadership. The other two members of the alliance are the AB Party and the Rastro Songskar Andolan.

Less than three weeks later, media reports suggested negotiations between the NCP and Jamaat-e-Islami over electoral seat-sharing.

Responding to those reports, Jamaat ameer said at an emergency press conference at the National Press Club on Sunday afternoon: “Two parties have joined our eight-party alliance: NCP and LDP.”

A few hours after the press conference, around 8:15pm on Sunday, Mahfuj set out his position in a Facebook post.

Mahfuj resigned as information advisor a day before the election schedule was announced. On the same day, fellow student advisor Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain also stepped down.

Speculation arose over whether the two would join the NCP or contest the election independently. While Asif announced his decision to run as an independent candidate, Mahfuj remained silent.

Breaking that silence on Sunday night, Mahfuj wrote a Facebook post titled ‘My Political Position’, saying: “The Citizen Committee and the NCP were organised by the frontline leadership of July [2024]. As my July comrades are part of these two organisations, over the past one and a half years I have provided them with advice, guidance and policy-level support whenever needed.”

He said while his July comrades echoed his position regarding a new “political-economic settlement”, they may not have internalised them.

Mahfuj added, “At this moment in history, Bangladesh is in a cold war. In such a phase, it is wiser to refrain from taking sides and remain steadfast in one’s principles and positions.”

“The possibility of an alternative youth/July force is not over yet. Rather, I will continue to uphold what I have said and the principles I have believed in over the past one and a half years, through political, cultural and intellectual means. If you care to join me, you are most welcome.”

“A new political-economic settlement is possible and realistic. The rise of an alternative, centrist youth/July force is imminent.”