Play store
National Citizen Party (NCP) Joint Convener Samantha Sharmin has resigned from the party, citing disagreements over its political direction, alliance with Jamaat-e-Islami and the marginalisation of women leaders.
She announced her resignation in a Facebook post on Thursday evening (November 5).
Sharmin said she had spent nearly 11 months raising concerns and submitting proposals to the party leadership regarding its policies, political direction and future course.
She said she had opposed the NCP’s alliance with Jamaat-e-Islami from the outset, arguing that the two parties were not compatible either ideologically or strategically.
She also expressed concerns over the party’s internal democratic practices and the declining role of women leaders.
Sharmin said she had tried to bring changes within the party through democratic discussions and by challenging its decisions in recognised forums.
However, she no longer believed that the NCP could remain committed to the values on which it was founded.
She said she had therefore decided to end her nearly year-long internal struggle and leave the party.
Sharmin was a senior joint convener of the NCP’s first central committee.
Following a reorganisation on October 23, she was appointed a joint convener.