Staff Reporter:
Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman yesterday said that National Citizen Party (NCP) and the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) have joined its electoral alliance, expanding the alliance to 10 political parties.
Dr Shafiqur Rahman made the announcement at a press conference held at the National Press Club in the capital yesterday afternoon.
“The eight parties were already together. Two more parties have now joined us. They are the National Citizen Party (NCP) and the Liberal Democratic Party led by Colonel (retd) Oli Ahmed,” the Jamaat Amir said.
He said the alliance partners have reached seat-sharing arrangements in several constituencies through discussions and consultations.
Dr Shafiqur added that some other parties have also shown interest in joining the alliance, but it is not possible to include them at this moment.
Following the post-uprising political developments, Jamaat-e-Islami earlier formed an electoral under-standing with six parties—Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Khelafat Majlis, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis, Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon, Bangladesh Nezame Islam Party and Jatiya Ganotantrik Party (JAGPA)—to field single candidates in all constituencies.
Later, the Bangladesh Development Party joined the platform, raising the number to eight. With the in-clusion of NCP and LDP, the total number of parties in the Jamaat-led alliance has now risen to 10.
Senior leaders from several alliance partners were present at the press conference, including Colonel (retd) Oli Ahmed Bir Bikram, Islami Andolan Bangladesh presidium member Ashraf Ali Akon, Bangla-desh Khelafat Majlis Secretary General Ahmad Abdul Quader and JAGPA Vice President Rashed Pra-dhan.
However, no representative from the NCP attended the event. Responding to questions, Dr Shafiqur Rahman said the NCP would hold a separate press conference to explain its decision and outline its posi-tion regarding the alliance.
