Boalkhali Upazila National Citizen Party (NCP) has strongly condemned and protested the slogan of boycotting a procession organized in support of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s candidate Dr. Abu Naser in Chattogram-8 constituency. A press conference was held in Boalkhali Monday on the occasion at the initiative of NCP.

It was informed at the press conference that in the ongoing political context of the country, the political force Jatiya Nagorik Party, which emerged from the mass uprising in the face of the upcoming thirteenth National Parliament elections, has participated in the ten-party alliance formed under the name ‘United Bangladesh’ based on a seat agreement with Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami in the larger national interest—which is clear to the countrymen.

According to the alliance’s decision, the National Citizen Party (NCP) was given the opportunity to participate in the elections in 30 seats across the country.

However, unfortunately, in some seats, misleading activities and uncooperative behavior are being observed, ignoring the alliance’s decision, which is against the unity, discipline and political etiquette of the ten-party alliance, the press conference stated.

The press conference also said that according to the alliance’s decision, the NCP was given a decision to participate in the election in only one seat—Chittagong-8. Accordingly, Jobairul Hasan Arif collected and submitted the nomination papers on behalf of the NCP. At the same time, candidates from other partner parties in the alliance also submitted their nomination papers.

However, on the last day of the withdrawal of nominations, according to the alliance’s decision, the candidates of Bangladesh Khilafat Majlis and AB Party withdrew their nominations in support of the alliance’s nominated candidate Jobairul Hasan Arif, but it was alleged that Dr. Abu Naser, a candidate from Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, one of the partners in the ten-party alliance, did not withdraw his nomination and created a confusing and uncomfortable situation.

Later, in a press conference organized by Jamaat-e-Islami Chittagong Metropolitan, Dr. Abu Naser was assured of stepping down, but in reality the situation took a more complicated shape.

Directly or indirectly, a procession was organized in Boalkhali area against the alliance’s nominated candidate, Jobairul Hasan Arif, and slogans of “NCP boycott” were raised from there.

NCP leaders said that such slogans and activities are completely against the unity of the ten-party alliance and are politically extremely irresponsible and undesirable. Boalkhali Upazila NCP strongly condemns and protests this incident. They also said that NCP will never accept any program or divisive slogan that harms the ten-party alliance.

Through these activities, the united forces of July, the ten-party alliance and indirectly the decision of the Amir of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami are also being disregarded, which is very sad.

In this context, Boalkhali Upazila NCP Bangladesh has demanded a clear explanation from Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman and Jatiya Nagorik Party convener Nahid Islam – whether the Chittagong-8 seat has been allocated to the Jatiya Nagorik Party or not.

It was said in the press conference that if the Chittagong-8 seat has been allocated to the NCP, then all the partner parties of the ten-party alliance will have to work together and make the candidate nominated by the alliance win. Otherwise, if the double behavior and non-cooperation continue beyond the alliance’s decision, the rationality of forming the alliance will be questioned.

Finally, a strong appeal was made to the Liaison Committee of the ten-party alliance, saying that in order to keep the alliance effective, strong and sustainable, the crisis related to the candidate of Chittagong-8 constituency must be resolved quickly, clearly and definitively. At the same time, all the partner parties were called upon, regardless of public opinion, to work unitedly to ensure the overall development of the area by making the candidate of ‘United Bangladesh’ win in Boalkhali, i.e. Chittagong-8 constituency.

Mohammad Selim, Joint Coordinator (Chittagong South) NCP was present at the press conference. Kazi Yasin, Chief Coordinator of Boalkhali NCP, read out the press release.
Abrar Habib and Faisal Raihan—Joint Coordinators, Boalkhali NCP; Saeed Bin Ibrahim, Jubo Shakti (Chittagong South District) NCP; Member Akter Ashiki, Shahnewaz Mahin and other leaders were also present.