The country's political equation is taking a complex shape day by day with the upcoming national elections in view. BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami - both parties are keen to keep the National Citizens Party (NCP) with them. However, there is a heated discussion going on within the NCP about the benefits and harms of forming an alliance. This debate is mainly about what impact an alliance with BNP or Jamaat could have on the political position and public opinion.

This issue was the focus of discussion at the recent executive council meeting held at the NCP central office in Bangla Motor in the capital. The meeting lasted from 4:30 pm to 9 pm last Friday. Most of the leaders, including party convener Nahid Islam and member secretary Akhtar Hossain, were present. Some of the leaders who participated in the meeting supported an electoral agreement with BNP, while others proposed forming an alliance with Jamaat. However, most of the leaders present felt that it would be strategically beneficial for the NCP to form a third alliance outside of BNP and Jamaat to participate in the elections.

The leaders said at the meeting that even if BNP makes concessions in any seat, it will be difficult for NCP candidates to win if their independent candidates stand. On the other hand, an alliance with Jamaat could put a 'tag' of a specific religious ideology on the NCP, which could damage the party's 'moderate' image in the long run. A senior leader said, "If we really believe in a new political trend, then we have to build a third force outside the old political structure."

Mushfiqur Us Salehin, the editor of the NCP's media cell, said, "In addition to election-oriented activities, it was decided to give importance to organizational activities in the executive council meeting. Party candidates will be announced soon after talking to those interested in participating in the next elections."

BNP, Jamaat and NCP - these three parties are interested in implementing the July National Charter. However, the BNP and Jamaat have slightly different positions on the method of implementing the charter. In this context, the NCP, AB Party and Gana Odhikar Parishad met with six parties of the Democracy Platform on September 18. There is strong buzz in political circles that this initiative of the 9 parties may turn into an electoral alliance or compromise in the future.

The parties included in the Democracy Platform are - Mass Solidarity Movement, Citizen Unity, Biplobi Workers Party, State Reform Movement, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) and Bhashani Janashakti Party. They were in a simultaneous movement with the BNP against the Awami League government (currently banned).

Earlier, at the national coordination meeting held in Dhaka on September 19, the NCP leadership emphasized more on organizational expansion. The leaders were instructed at the meeting that by October, a convening committee should be formed at every district, upazila and union level of the country. The party's joint convener, Monira Sharmin, said, "No final decision has been made yet. We are continuing discussions with various political parties. A final decision on an alliance or compromise will be announced when the situation improves."

In addition to the Democracy Platform, the NCP has increased its contacts with Islamist parties. The most recent meeting was held on October 4 at the central office of the Bangladesh Khilafat Movement. The meeting also discussed the legal basis of the July Charter, proportional representation (PR) system in the upper house of parliament, and the issue of responsibility for the July massacre and the Shapla massacre.

According to political analysts, the NCP's biggest challenge now is to clarify its own political position. If it falls into the shadow of the BNP or Jamaat, the party may lose its acceptance as an 'alternative force'. On the other hand, if it contests the elections alone or forms a third alliance, the NCP may attract moderate voters. An analyst said, "A place for a third alliance is now being created in Bangladesh's electoral politics. If the NCP adopts the right strategy, they can fill this gap."

In short, although both BNP and Jamaat are trying to keep the NCP with them, no final decision has been made within the party yet. A large section of the NCP feels that their future lies in a third path outside these two old forces. The political arena is now focused on what the NCP's position will be in this new political equation before the next elections.