NCP allies yet to pull out in six seats

Although National Citizen Party (NCP) has fielded candidates in 30 parliamentary constituencies, as part of the Jamaat-e-Islami-led alliance, allies have not yet withdrawn their candidates in six of those seats.

The six seats are Dhaka-20, Chattogram-8, Narayanganj-4, Sirajganj-6, Narsingdi-2, and Rajbari-2, NCP sources said.

Multiple candidates from alliance partners remain in the race in these constituencies, raising concerns over coordination and the effectiveness of the alliance’s seat-sharing arrangement ahead of the election.

NCP Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary told The Daily Star, “Under the Jamaat-led alliance, each seat will have a single candidate to contest the election. Candidates (from alliance partners) in the six seats will withdraw very soon.”

According to NCP, the seat-sharing agreement within the 10-party alliance aimed to limit competition in selected constituencies and avoid a split in votes. Under this arrangement, Jamaat and its allied parties -- NCP, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis, and Amar Bangladesh (AB) Party -- were expected to field candidates selectively, to avoid double-fielding of candidates from partners.

Following the agreement, NCP announced candidates in 29 constituencies. However, on the final day for withdrawal of nomination papers, candidates from Khelafat Majlis and other allied parties did not withdraw from several constituencies reportedly left to the NCP.

An NCP leader, speaking to The Daily Star on condition of anonymity, said, “So far, we have not received any confirmation on the six seats.”

In Narsingdi-2, NCP has nominated Md Golam Sarwar, also known as Sarwar Tushar. However, Jamaat candidate Amjad Hossain did not withdraw his nomination for this seat.

Our Narsingdi correspondent reported that district Jamaat Ameer Maulana Moslehuddin went to Amjad’s residence to collect his signature on the withdrawal papers. But could not do so in the face of protests from Amjad’s supporters. His nomination ultimately remained valid.

In Chattogram-8, NCP fielded Md Jobairul Hasan Arif. However, while other alliance partners’ candidates withdrew their nominations, Jamaat candidate Md Abu Naser did not.

Addressing the issue at a press conference in Chattogram’s Bahaddarhat area, the NCP candidate described the incident as “unintentional.” In a written statement, Morshedul Islam Chowdhury, assistant general secretary of Chattogram city unit Jamaat, said that following the central leadership’s directive, Jamaat-nominated candidate Naser had agreed to step back in favour of NCP candidate Arif to uphold the unity of the alliance.

Apart from this, in Dhaka-20 and Narayanganj-4, Khelafat Majlis candidates did not withdraw their nominations.

Dhaka-20 NCP candidate Nabila Tasnid told the Daily Star, “Khelafat Majlis candidate Mufti Ashraf Ali did not withdraw his candidacy from this seat. He said he will contest the election with his own support system from his party.”

She added that since Khelafat Majlis is holding elections separately in this constituency, NCP and Jamaat will jointly conduct the election campaign for her.

The NCP candidate from Narayanganj-4, Advocate Abdullah Al Amin, told The Daily Star that Khelafat Majlis candidate Anwar Hossain did not withdraw his nomination on the last day.

“While other partners extended their support, Khelafat Majlis did not withdraw its candidate. I do not want to comment further on the matter, but I believe all parties should respect the alliance’s decision,” he said.

He further said the issue had been reported to senior alliance leaders, who assured him that the matter was being looked into.

In Sirajganj-6, Anwar Sadat Tutul of AB Party did not withdraw his nomination, while Khelafat Majlis candidate Kazi Minhajul Islam remains in the race in Rajbari-2.

Jamaat Assistant Secretary General Ahsanul Mahboob Zubair said at a press conference yesterday, “A meeting of our executive committee is underway. Some seats have yet to be finalised. We hope to reach a decision very soon.”