The National Citizen Party (NCP) has formally agreed to adopt the ‘Shapla Koli’ (Water Lily Bud) as its electoral symbol and announced its decision to contest all 300 seats in the upcoming general election.
The announcement was made by NCP’s Chief Coordinator, Nasiruddin Patwary, today (Sunday) after a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A M M Nasir Uddin at the Election Building in Agargaon, Dhaka.
“We will take the ‘Shapla Koli’,” declared Nasiruddin Patwary. Addressing the controversy surrounding the initial ‘Shapla’ symbol, he explained the party’s decision as a pragmatic move: “There might be a question here, as we still haven’t received a clear explanation about the ‘Shapla’ symbol. Given the Election Commission’s arbitrary behaviour, should we keep debating symbols? Should we not enter the election phase? That is why we are taking this decision, considering the greater good.”
Nasiruddin Patwary claimed the party has received positive feedback across the country regarding the ‘Shapla Koli’ symbol. “We have received positive responses from the countrymen about ‘Shapla Koli.’ It is a step ahead of ‘Shapla,’ meaning it has both the lily and the bud. In this regard, we believe the Election Commission has taken an advanced view by including the bud and the lily,” he stated.
Confirming the party’s ambition to contest all seats, Nasiruddin Patwari noted that they would consider candidates eager to run from any part of the country. He also urged the Election Commission to expedite the completion of the NCP’s registration process.
NCP Slams EC as ‘Engineering Commission’
During the press briefing, the NCP leader was highly critical of the Election Commission (EC). When asked about his confidence in the EC, Nasiruddin Patwari remarked, “If you ask me to describe the Election Commission in a brief phrase, we cannot call it the Election Commission. We can call it the Engineering Commission… We have come to this Engineering Commission, where a lot of things are being engineered. So, we are fighting our battle in the Engineering Commission.” He also expressed concern that the EC might continue its “arbitrary behaviour” toward the country’s citizens in the future.
When pressed on how many seats the NCP expected to win in the Thirteenth National Parliament Election, Nasiruddin Patwari reiterated, “We have said that we will contest all 300 seats.”
Criticism of Jamaat and BNP
Nasiruddin Patwari also launched a sharp attack on other political parties. He recounted learning from a person at a restaurant earlier that day about a demand for a $2$ million Taka bribe for a specific party’s nomination.
“Religious fascism has been established in the country under the leadership of Jamaat-e-Islami, while extortion and violence are being carried out under the leadership of the BNP,” he said.
He concluded by stating: “We cannot be companions to the religious fascism of Jamaat-e-Islami. Nor can we be partners in the extortion and Violence of the BNP.”
The NCP delegation that met with the CEC included Joint Convenor and Policy & Research Lead Khaled Saifullah and Joint Member Secretary Zahirul Islam Musa, accompanying Nasiruddin Patwari.
