National Citizen Party convenor and opposition chief whip Nahid Islam said the party will raise gas, electricity and energy shortages, higher fertilizer prices and public hardship in parliament and on the streets. He made the remarks to journalists on Tuesday night after a visit to the party’s temporary central office in Banglamotor, Dhaka, by the Jamaat amir.

Nahid described the Jamaat amir’s visit as politically significant, while saying it was a courtesy meeting that conveyed a message of unity. He said the movement was not one of 11 parties, but a movement on behalf of the people and for building a new Bangladesh. He also called on political and social forces that could not join them in the election to unite in the public interest.

NCP leaders welcomed the Jamaat amir with flowers and presented a replica of the party’s water-lily-bud symbol, as well as fabric for panjabi and burqa garments. Jamaat central executive council member Zahidur Rahman and several other party leaders were present at the NCP office. Nahid said NCP’s voice would be heard for the public in the next parliamentary session and that the party would pursue a united movement outside parliament.