A Correspondent:
Narayanganj: National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam yesterday said his party will contest the upcoming 13th National Parliament elections independently and announce a preliminary list of can-didates by November 15.
“We are preparing to contest the election alone, aiming for all 300 constituencies. InshaAllah, we will publish our preliminary list of candidates by November 15,” he said while talking to reporters after visit-ing the family of Shaheed Gazi Salauddin in Godnail, Narayanganj yesterday.
Salauddin, who was seriously injured during the July Movement, passed away on October 26 after a long battle for recovery.
The NCP convener said his party seeks to challenge Bangladesh’s traditional electoral culture that favors money and muscle power.
“We want to break the old pattern where influence and wealth determine nominations. Instead, we will nominate those who are respected, educated, socially active, and stand beside ordinary people,” he add-ed.
He also noted that, as a gesture of respect and solidarity, NCP will not field candidates in constituencies represented by Begum Khaleda Zia and other veteran leaders who have led the fight against fascism and for democracy.
“Any political or ideological understanding — such as on issues like the July Charter or national reform agenda — could open space for alliances, but our current plan is to go to the polls independently,” he said.
Expressing sympathy to the family members of Gazi Salauddin, Nahid said, “We can never forget the brave fighters of the July Movement. The state must take responsibility for their treatment and rehabili-tation — not only temporarily but through sustained support.”
NCP Narayanganj district Member Secretary Advocate Abdullah Al Amin, Ahmed Tonu, Saleh Ahmed, and other local leaders and activists were present, among others.
