The future of the National Citizen Party (NCP) has come under scrutiny following a wave of resignations by several of its central leaders after the party joined a 12-party alliance with Jamaat-e-Islami.

More than a dozen central leaders of the NCP have stepped down, with most citing the decision to align with Jamaat as the primary reason. Many of the resigning leaders believe the NCP has drifted away from its core objective of forging a “new political settlement,” prompting them to part ways with the party.

However, NCP Joint Convener Sarwar Tushar said that although the resignations have caused some internal turbulence, the majority of party members remain supportive of the alliance.

The NCP formally emerged on February 28 last year, founded by young leaders who played a key role in the July uprising of 2024. Nahid Islam leads the party, alongside several prominent faces from the July movement.

On December 10, the NCP announced candidates in 125 constituencies for the 13th Jatiya Sangsad election, while also declaring its intention to field candidates in all 300 seats. In the second week of December, the party formed an alliance with the AB Party and the Rashtra Sanskar Andolon. Within two weeks, it entered into a new electoral alliance with Jamaat-e-Islami, bringing the NCP back into the national spotlight.

The move soon triggered visible divisions within the party. Around 30 leaders urged the leadership to reconsider the decision. As the party remained firm on the Jamaat alliance, resignations followed. At least one and a half dozen leaders from the central convening committee and grassroots levels have since left the party. Some have announced plans to contest the election independently, while others have withdrawn from active politics.

Several departing leaders alleged that the NCP had compromised with traditional political forces ahead of the election, agreeing to terms they described as detrimental to the party’s self-respect.

The NCP leadership, however, does not see the pre-election setback as a major challenge. Central leaders say the party believes in democratic decision-making.

Sarwar Tushar reiterated that the NCP is committed to democratic principles and that any vacancies created by the resignations will be filled soon through an ongoing process. He also maintained that most party members continue to support the 12-party alliance.