Nahid says political forces aligned with NCP’s goals are welcome to join

The party leader rejects ties with Jamaat’s movement, saying the NCP does not support PR in the lower chamber

National Citizen Party (NCP) Convenor Nahid Islam has said the party has no plans to join any coalition or alliance, but will welcome political forces that align with its objectives.

He said on Friday while addressing a press conference following NCP’s daylong national coordination meeting in Dhaka’s Shahbagh.

Nahid clarified that the NCP will move ahead with its own agenda and remain outside the ongoing joint movement led by the Jamaat-e-Islami.

“At this point, we are not part of the movement under Jamaat’s leadership, because we do not support proportional representation (PR) in the lower house,” he said.

“We only support PR for an upper house. Our party has taken a firm stance on this.”

Jamaat and several other parties have recently launched a coordinated movement around five key demands, one of which is introducing the PR system.

Media reports had earlier speculated about NCP’s involvement in the alliance, as well as a possible merger with Gono Odhikar Parishad ahead of the national election.

In response, Nahid said: “On recent movements, political coalitions, or talks of merging -- our position is clear: The NCP will go forward based on its own goals. If any political group agrees with those goals, they may join us.”

He added, “We oppose PR in the lower house. We only support PR for an upper house. Our party has taken a firm stance on this.”

Friday’s meeting brought together the chief coordinators of NCP’s metropolitan, district, and Upazila committees.

Several hundred leaders and activists from the party’s affiliated and associate wings also attended the event.