Dhaka: Former adviser to the interim government, Mahfuj Alam, stated on Monday that the National Citizen Party (NCP) did not fulfill the hopes people had for it after the July uprising. Speaking at a seminar titled ‘Return of Electoral Democracy: Reflections and Learning from 2026,’ organized by the BRAC Institute of Governance and Development (BIGD) at the BRAC Centre in Mohakhali, Mahfuj expressed his concerns about the party’s trajectory.

According to United News of Bangladesh, Mahfuj explained that the Jatiya Nagorik Committee initially brought together individuals from both the right and left political spectrums. However, once it evolved into the NCP, it distanced itself from this inclusive approach. Mahfuj highlighted how the party began favoring or excluding members based on their political affiliations, which was contrary to its founding principles. He mentioned that the Jatiya Nagorik Committee had included influential figures like YouTuber Salman Muktadir, showcasing its initial inclusivity. However, this spirit did not persist, leading Mahfuj to eventually step aside.

Former NCP leader Tasnim Jara, who ran as an independent candidate from Dhaka-9 in the February 2026 national election, also spoke at the event. She clarified that her departure from NCP was not due to personal grievances but because the party deviated from its original stance. Tasnim emphasized her consistency in maintaining her position despite the party’s changes.

Additionally, former NCP woman leader Tajnuva Jabeen reflected on the loss of unity among those who once fought for a discrimination-free Bangladesh during the 2024 movement that led to the ousting of the previous government. She cited the drifting away of individuals from their initial positions as a key reason for the failure to implement the July Charter. Jabeen herself resigned from the NCP just before submitting her nomination papers for the election.

The seminar’s speakers also noted a significant gap in women’s participation in Bangladesh’s politics. They highlighted issues such as violations of the code of conduct during election campaigning and instances of elected representatives losing sight of their original goals after taking office.