Bangladesh’s National Civic Party Faces Internal Backlash Over Alliance
Bangladesh’s National Civic Party (NCP), which gained attention in 2024 as part of a youth-driven global movement against corrupt political dynasties, is encountering dissent among its ranks. This unrest follows the party’s recent decision to ally with the Jamaat-e-Islami Party, known for its hardline Islamic stances.
The seeds of this Gen Z movement were first evident in Sri Lanka back in 2022, during protests against the administration of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. His family’s grip on power ignited frustrations that erupted into widespread demonstrations against corruption and authoritarianism. The subsequent leadership under Ranil Wickremesinghe didn’t significantly alleviate the situation, leading to further protests that eventually compelled him to resign in 2024.
Protests by Generation Z often drew inspiration from previous uprisings, leading to a unifying symbol—a pirate flag adorned with a straw hat and skull, reminiscent of the popular manga series One Piece. It seemed that young people, armed with the internet and social media, were tired of the enduring mismanagement by elites who appeared immune to the consequences of their actions.
In Bangladesh, youth-led protests have gained momentum, with hopes that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will step down in August 2024 after 15 years in power. However, these protests turned violent, with harsh government crackdowns, leading to significant casualties—some reports estimate around 1,400 fatalities over a few weeks in 2024.
Hasina, a member of a longstanding political dynasty, has been a focal point for frustration among young activists. Many felt her family’s influential name had allowed her to retain power long past her political mandate.
The specific cause of the uproar in Bangladesh centered around a government quota system that dates back to the 1970s. This system, originally intended to honor “freedom fighters” who contributed to independence from Pakistan, has become outdated. Protesters accused Hasina of manipulating it further to benefit her political allies.
In February 2025, student leaders from the successful movement resolved to establish a formal political party, intending to contest elections slated for February 2026. Operating under the name “Students Against Discrimination” during their protests, they chose “Jatiya Nagorik,” meaning National Civic Party, for their new political identity.
Promising commitment to a new vision for Bangladesh, Nahid Islam, the founding leader, expressed their intent to work for the citizens’ interests.
Yet, following the announcement of the alliance with Jamaat-e-Islami, several NCP members, including Tasnim Jarrah, a doctor and social media figure, departed the party. Jarrah, who returned from the UK to help lead the NCP, planned to run as an independent candidate in Dhaka.
In a statement, she expressed disappointment, noting that her aspiration had been to serve her community through parliamentary representation, but circumstances led her to step away from party politics.
As the weekend unfolded, NCP supporters began to distance themselves from party leadership. They voiced their discontent, believing that collaboration with Jamaat had compromised the party’s moral standing.
HM Nazmul Alam, a researcher, conveyed that youth movements can endure electoral defeats but struggle when they lose clarity and cohesion, which the NCP seems to risk.
Political analyst Asif Shahan cautioned that aligning with Jamaat could backfire, turning the NCP into a right-wing entity and diluting its originally centrist ideology.
Current opinion polls reveal the NCP’s approval rating at about 6%, while Jamaat stands at 26%, which could challenge the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), previously the largest party with around 30%. Until recently, the Awami League held the title of Bangladesh’s dominant political force before its ban following Hasina’s forced exit.
