NCP aims for 40 seats from Jamaat

The Jamaat-led alliance has so far left 29 parliamentary seats for the National Citizen Party, but aspirants from other allies remain in the race in at least 21 of those constituencies, NCP sources said.

Candidates from allied parties have already opted out in eight constituencies to make way for NCP nominees, and talks are ongoing for a bigger share of seats.

NCP Joint Convener Sarwar Tushar said, "We are negotiating for 35 to 40 seats. Talks are ongoing, and we expect confirmation within two to three days."

According to alliance sources, the eight seats where allied parties have withdrawn candidates for NCP include Dhaka-11, where party Convener Nahid Islam is set to run; Dhaka-8, earmarked for Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary; Cumilla-4, where Chief Organiser (South) Hasnat Abdullah will contest; Rangpur-4, allocated to Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain; Panchagarh-1, finalised for Chief Organiser (North) Sarjis Alam; Kurigram-3, where Atik Mujahid has been nominated; Narayanganj-4, allocated to Abdullah Al Amin; and Noakhali-6, where Hannan Masud is set to contest.

Besides the 29 constituencies, negotiations are still under way for three seats -- Dhaka-9, Brahmanbaria-3 and Bagerhat-3. NCP sources said Javed Rasin, Ataullah and Molla Rahmatullah have been proposed for the three constituencies respectively, but differences persist.

Several NCP leaders said that beyond the confirmed allocation, the party is also negotiating for a further 10 constituencies, aiming to contest a total of around 40 seats.

Speaking to The Daily Star on the condition of anonymity, a senior NCP leader said the final number of seats would depend on whether Islami Andolan Bangladesh remains in the alliance. "If Chormonai does not remain, we will contest around 40 seats…. Negotiations are still ongoing. We hope to finalise our allocation before the alliance reaches its final settlement on January 19."

At a press conference last evening, Akhtar Hossain said discussions on the matter are ongoing with Jamaat-e-Islami.

Meanwhile, NCP sources said its confirmed list of nominees includes several student leaders who played visible roles during the July uprising, alongside party organisers and professionals.

In the capital, NCP has confirmed several candidates beyond the opt-out seats. Tarek Mohammad Adel, who recently left the Jatiya Party to join the NCP, will contest from Dhaka-7, while Ariful Islam has been nominated for Dhaka-18. Dilshana Parul and Nabila Tasnid will contest from Dhaka-19 and Dhaka-20 respectively.

Outside Dhaka, several candidates associated with the July movement and professional backgrounds have also been finalised. Sarwar Tushar is set to run from Narsingdi-2, while Jobairul Islam will contest from Chattogram-8.

Other confirmed candidates include Barrister Nurul Huda Junaied for Sylhet-3, Ali Naser Khan for Gazipur-2, Mahbub Alam Mahir for Lakshmipur-1, Sultana Muhammad Zakaria for Noakhali-2, Pritom Das for Moulvibazar-4, Saifullah Haider for Tangail-3, Ashraf Mahdi for Brahmanbaria-2, Likhon Mia for Sherpur-1, Molla Faruk Ehsan for Chuadanga-1 and Zarjis Kader for Natore-3.

Saif Mustafiz has been nominated for Sirajganj-6, while Abdul Ahad will contest from Dinajpur-5, Ariful Daria from Gopalganj-3, and Suja Uddin from Bandarban.