NCP fails to bring back defected leaders

The National Citizens’ Party (NCP) is grappling with internal instability following its controversial decision to form an alliance with Jamaat-e-Islami. This move has triggered a wave of resignations among senior and mid-level leaders, many of whom have refused to return despite repeated efforts by the central leadership. The defecting leaders remain firm: they will only consider returning if the party severs its ties with Jamaat.

Scale of Resignations

As of yesterday, at least 15 senior and mid-level leaders, including former Senior Joint Secretary Tasnim Zara and former Joint Convenor Khaled Saifullah, have formally resigned. In addition, six prospective candidates have withdrawn their nominations ahead of the upcoming national election.

Furthermore, senior joint convenor Samantha Sharmin and joint secretary Nahida Sarwar Niva, while not formally resigning, have remained inactive in party activities since the Jamaat alliance was announced.

Leadership Efforts and Defectors’ Response

NCP spokesperson Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiya told The Daily Star that the central leadership has been maintaining regular contact with resigning leaders and attempting to convince them to return. He emphasised that the resignations are not simply due to frustration, but involve deeper internal issues, making the process time-consuming.

However, the defecting leaders have dismissed these claims as “false and exaggerated,” alleging that the party leadership is merely attempting to avoid public embarrassment and maintain voter confidence ahead of the elections. At least five former leaders confirmed that despite calls from NCP Chairman Nahid Islam, Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwari, and Sajib Bhuiya, no concrete measures were taken to address their ideological concerns. Khaled Saifullah categorically stated that no one contacted him regarding his return.

Ideological Disagreements and Process Criticism

Many dissenting leaders have criticised the alliance process as undemocratic and premeditated. According to one anonymous leader, the decision was a “poor compromise” that they had opposed from the start. During an executive committee WhatsApp meeting on 24 December, approximately 40 members attended discussions on election strategy and the alliance. Many of those opposing the alliance were absent, resulting in the majority approving the deal and the leadership swiftly implementing it.

Former ICT cell chief Farhad Alam Bhuiya recounted his resignation, saying he opposed the Jamaat-led alliance immediately after witnessing the process and submitted a dissent note before leaving. He added that although party leaders later contacted him, he insisted he would only return if the Jamaat relationship ended.

An internal meeting intended to discuss the reinstatement of resigned leaders was cancelled after details were leaked outside the party, illustrating the fragile nature of internal communications. Despite this, the party maintains that the door remains open for returning leaders.

The NCP, established in February last year with activists from the July uprising, has witnessed multiple leadership departures before, and the current situation represents the latest challenge in maintaining party cohesion amid controversial political alliances.