Shamima Rita

Differences have emerged within NCP over whether it should contest upcoming national polls independently or join an alliance.

The National Citizen Party is continuing full-fledged preparations to contest the upcoming national election, focusing on organising its grassroots and selecting candidates for all 300 seats.

Many members of the National Citizen Party (NCP) are reluctant to contest the upcoming national election as part of a BNP- or Jamaat-e-Islami-led alliance, as the party seeks to emerge as a distinct third political force.

After accepting “Shapla Koli” (water lily bud) as its electoral symbol, the National Citizen Party is now gearing up to finalise 150 candidates in as many seats.

Discussions are underway to form a new nine-party alliance as a potential “third force” ahead of the upcoming national election, with talks reportedly involving the National Citizen Party (NCP), Gono Odhikar Parishad, Amar Bangladesh Party (AB Party), and the Gonotontro Moncho.

The government and the consensus commission have continued active engagement with the National Citizen Party in an effort to persuade it to sign the July Charter.

Right under the authorities’ noses, chemical warehouses and small factories are operating in full swing in Mirpur’s densely populated residential areas, defying safety regulations and gambling with thousands of lives.

Nearly half of the NCP’s central leaders favour forging an alliance with the BNP ahead of the 13th national election in February.

The photo of Sanjida Ahmed Tonni, blood streaming down her face after being attacked by Chhatra League activists, became one of the defining images of Bangladesh’s July Movement.

National Citizen Party said if it did not get Shapla (water lily) as its electoral symbol, then it would have major political consequences and seriously impact the upcoming polls.