Dhaka:National Citizen Party (NCP) Joint Convener Samanta Sharmin has announced her resignation from the party. This decision comes as a response to the party's alliance with Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and perceived deviations from its founding principles, particularly regarding women's political rights and internal democracy.
According to United News of Bangladesh, Sharmin expressed her concerns in a post on her verified Facebook page, stating that she no longer believes the NCP is committed to upholding its foundational values. Over the past 11 months, she had attempted to bring about change through internal discussions and written proposals but concluded that the party could not remain true to its original ideals.
Sharmin has consistently opposed the alliance with Jamaat, arguing that the party is neither a principled nor strategic partner for the NCP. She warned that this alliance could lead to significant political costs, as she believes Jamaat does not truly support democratic reforms and its ideology is incompatible with a democratic state structure.
Criticizing the NCP's electoral strategy, Sharmin remarked that by joining established political forces for the 2026 election, the party had sacrificed its independent political identity and the chance to forge a new political path after the mass uprising in July 2024. She also highlighted the lack of recognition for women's contributions to the uprising, accusing the party of following conservative political trends instead.
Sharmin further criticized the restructuring of the NCP's convening committee without a council, which she believes undermines internal democracy and mirrors the practices of traditional political parties. Despite her repeated calls for the leadership to address these issues, the party showed no inclination to alter its course.
In outlining her future political vision, Sharmin advocated for the creation of a new political force centered on national unity, democratic governance, sovereignty, women's equal participation, and economic justice. She urged young people to establish a political platform that transcends traditional party divisions, emphasizing that Bangladesh's national interests should take precedence over foreign influences.