Bangladesh’s National Citizen Party (NCP), born from the 2024 student uprising that ousted former leader Sheikh Hasina, secured six parliamentary seats in the February 12 elections. The new party contested 30 seats as part of a coalition with the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, while the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) led a landslide victory with 212 seats.
According to Daljoog News analysis, the NCP’s entry into parliament marks a rare breakthrough for a political movement rooted in street protests rather than traditional party structures. While modest in numbers, the party’s presence in the legislature gives student leaders a platform to shape Bangladesh’s political discourse.
The election comes at a pivotal moment for the country’s politics. The NCP now faces the dual challenge of consolidating its parliamentary role and building a credible, independent identity amidst alliance politics and internal disagreements.
What Happened?
The NCP formally launched in February 2025, promising to offer a generational alternative to Bangladesh’s established parties. The party rose from the student-led protests of 2024, which briefly united opposition forces and removed Sheikh Hasina from power. Leaders like Nahid Islam and Asif Mahmud quickly became public figures, representing youthful energy and demands for political reform.
Despite this momentum, the NCP struggled to establish a nationwide organizational network. Opinion polls leading up to the election indicated single-digit support, forcing the party to negotiate an alliance with the Jamaat-e-Islami. Under this coalition, the NCP contested 30 of 300 parliamentary seats and ultimately won six. The Jamaat-led bloc captured 77 seats overall, while the BNP secured a commanding 212-seat majority.
Several NCP leaders who rose during the 2024 uprising are now MPs, offering the movement a foothold in formal politics. Supporters view these six seats as a symbolic yet tangible step for a party barely a year old. Critics, however, highlight the difficulties of translating protest legitimacy into lasting political influence.
Why This Matters
The NCP’s parliamentary presence reflects a growing appetite among Bangladesh’s younger voters for alternatives to entrenched party politics. It also demonstrates how street movements can evolve into formal political actors, though not without compromise.
Alliance politics complicate the NCP’s positioning. The decision to partner with Jamaat-e-Islami, a party historically linked to conservative social policies, sparked internal resignations and questions about the party’s ideological clarity. This tension highlights the risks young parties face when balancing pragmatism with principles.
The broader context underscores generational frustration. Bangladesh’s political scene has long been dominated by the Awami League and BNP, leaving limited space for emerging voices. The NCP’s modest gains may signal the first cracks in this duopoly, particularly if it can consolidate its grassroots base and navigate local elections independently.
What Analysts or Officials Are Saying
NCP officials frame the results positively. Spokesman Asif Mahmud emphasized that securing six seats in an 11-month-old party represents a significant achievement. He also noted that the alliance with Jamaat was tactical, not ideological, and that the NCP plans to contest future local elections independently.
Critics remain skeptical. Former party member Anik Roy argued that the coalition effectively tethered the NCP to Jamaat, limiting its potential to emerge as a truly independent force. Political scientists note that internal divisions and lack of organizational depth may hinder long-term growth, particularly if the party cannot clarify its centrist identity.
Geopolitical analysts point out that the transition from protest movement to formal political entity often exposes structural weaknesses. In the NCP’s case, operating within a coalition may dilute its agenda, leaving it vulnerable to being perceived as a junior partner rather than a third force.
Daljoog News Analysis
The NCP’s rise illustrates both opportunity and constraint. Its six-seat victory is less about immediate power and more about establishing credibility and experience within parliament. For student-led movements, the challenge lies in institutionalizing energy from the streets while avoiding co-option by older, established parties.
The alliance with Jamaat underscores a broader strategic dilemma: compromise may be necessary for survival, but it risks alienating the very base that fueled the 2024 uprising. If the NCP can leverage its parliamentary presence to develop localized networks and clarify policy positions, it may carve out space as Bangladesh’s credible third option.
At the same time, political analysts caution that young parties often face high attrition, and internal cohesion will be critical. Lessons from other emerging political movements suggest that ideological clarity and grassroots engagement are essential to translating symbolic victories into long-term influence.
What Happens Next
Looking ahead, the NCP aims to contest local government elections independently, testing its ability to build direct connections with voters. Its six parliamentarians provide a framework for policy advocacy and institutional learning, but questions remain about alliances, ideology, and organizational capacity.
Observers will watch whether the party can expand its influence without relying on larger partners and whether it can maintain the momentum of the 2024 uprising while navigating Bangladesh’s complex political terrain. The coming election cycles will be decisive in determining whether the NCP can move from a symbolic breakthrough to a sustained political force.
