Thirty members of Jatiya Nagorik Party (NCP)’s central committee have formally raised objections to any potential political alliance or seat-sharing arrangement with Jamaat-e-Islami, citing ideological, historical and ethical concerns.

In a letter sent to party convener Nahid Islam on Saturday (December 27), the leaders expressed their objections and deep concern over reports of a possible alliance.

The matter was confirmed to the media by NCP Joint Member Secretary Mushfiq Us Saleheen.

In the letter, the signatories said their opposition is rooted in the NCP’s declared principles, its historical responsibility following the July mass uprising, and the party’s commitment to democratic ethics.

They alleged that over the past year, Jamaat-e-Islami and its student wing Islami Chhatra Shibir have engaged in divisive political activities, infiltration and sabotage within other parties, attempts to shift blame for various incidents onto the NCP, and what they described as misinformation campaigns surrounding student union elections involving Bangladesh Democratic Students Council and later Chhatra Shakti.

The leaders also accused Jamaat-linked online groups of attempting to defame female members of the NCP and its student organisation, warning that the rise of religion-based social authoritarianism poses a serious threat to the country’s future.

Referring to Jamaat’s historical role, the letter said Jamaat-e-Islami’s political record, particularly its opposition to independence during the 1971 Liberation War, alleged collaboration in genocide, and its stance on crimes committed during that period, fundamentally contradict Bangladesh’s democratic spirit and the core values of the NCP.

The NCP leaders warned that any form of alliance with Jamaat would weaken the party’s moral position and have long-term negative consequences for its political credibility.

They also pointed out that convener Nahid Islam and chief coordinator Nasiruddin Patwari had repeatedly announced plans to contest all 300 parliamentary seats independently.
According to the letter, around 1,500 nomination forms have already been sold and 125 candidates announced. In this context, the leaders argued that entering into an alliance for a small number of seats would amount to a betrayal of the nation.

The letter further noted that whenever news of a potential alliance surfaced in the media, a significant number of supporters, including grassroots activists and organisers, showed signs of withdrawing their support.

The leaders warned that losing the backing of moderate voters and those seeking a new political culture could permanently erode the party’s centrist support base.

Urging the leadership to take a clear and public stance against any alliance with Jamaat-e-Islami, the signatories said political strategy should be guided by principles, not the other way around, and cautioned against sacrificing core values for tactical gains.

Those who signed the letter include Joint Convener Khaled Saifullah, Joint Member Secretary Mushfiq Us Saleheen, Central Organiser Arman Hossain, Joint Convener Nusrat Tabassum, Joint Chief Coordinator Khan Md Mursaleen and Organiser Rafiqul Islam Aini, among others.