Jamaat-NCP Seat Deal Faces Internal Disputes and Tensions

Dhaka, Bangladesh – As preparations intensify for Bangladesh’s 13th National Parliamentary Election, the Jamaat-e-Islami and the National Citizen’s Party (NCP) are in the midst of negotiations over a potential seat-sharing deal. Senior figures within the NCP have already engaged in discussions with Jamaat leadership, but while some factions of the NCP are supportive of the deal, significant opposition within the party remains. A final decision on the agreement is expected to be revealed in the coming days.

Earlier, the NCP had attempted to forge a similar seat-sharing agreement with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), but those talks broke down without a concrete outcome. Sources close to the NCP suggest that discussions with Jamaat are progressing more smoothly, although obstacles persist.

NCP’s Demands and Jamaat’s Response

NCP leadership is reportedly seeking at least 50 seats from Jamaat in the upcoming election. However, Jamaat has expressed concerns, arguing that this number is excessive. While the initial rounds of negotiation have taken place, no final figure has been settled upon. Both parties are scheduled to meet again soon for further talks.

Despite the ongoing negotiations, internal divisions within the NCP have come to the forefront. Recently, NCP Joint Secretary Mir Arshadul Haque, who also served as the Chief Coordinator of the Chittagong City Committee, resigned from his position. Haque had been a prominent critic of the potential alliance with Jamaat, and his resignation signals growing tensions within the party, further complicating the negotiations.

Potential Outcomes of the Deal

If a seat-sharing deal is finalised, preliminary discussions suggest the possibility of an arrangement involving up to 30 constituencies. This would effectively exclude the NCP from contesting in 270 of the 300 parliamentary seats, a significant portion of the national race. NCP officials have stated that their candidates have already begun extensive grassroots campaigns, and many within the party believe that securing a victory in the election without an alliance with either the BNP or Jamaat would be a difficult, if not impossible, task.

NCP and Other Political Alliances

In a separate development, the NCP, along with the Amar Bangladesh Party (AB Party) and the Bangladesh State Reform Movement, formed a new political coalition named the ‘Democratic Reform Alliance’ on December 7. This new alliance was aimed at establishing a strong third force outside the influence of BNP and Jamaat. However, the NCP’s ongoing seat negotiations with Jamaat have caused unease within the State Reform Movement. Didar Bhuiyan, the Joint General Secretary of the Movement, publicly criticised the NCP, accusing them of undermining the spirit of their newly-formed alliance. Bhuiyan remarked, “We will issue a formal statement on our stance in the near future.”

Internal Disputes and Political Tensions

The ongoing talks between Jamaat and the NCP have become a focal point of internal party strife and wider political tension. Should an agreement be reached, it would undoubtedly strengthen the NCP’s position in the upcoming election. However, this could also deepen the rifts within the party, particularly with those factions strongly opposed to Jamaat. The growing likelihood of fragmentation and defections within the NCP has increased, as these internal divisions threaten to undermine the unity of the party.

As the deadline for finalising the seat-sharing deal draws near, the political landscape of Bangladesh could experience significant shifts. The outcome of these negotiations will likely play a pivotal role in shaping the strategies of the various political parties leading up to the election.

Table: Projected Seat Distribution (Tentative)