NCP and Nagorik Oikya face off over ‘Shapla’ symbol

The ‘Shapla’, known as the national symbol, has now become the focus of discussions between the two parties for use as a political symbol. Nagorik Oikya and Jatiya Nagorik Party (NCP) have applied to the Election Commission for the ‘Shapla’ symbol. As both parties have mentioned this symbol as their first choice, tension has started over the allocation of the symbol.

Nagorik Oikya informed that they have already applied to the Election Commission to change their current symbol ‘kettle’. In the application submitted on June 17, they have asked for ‘Shapla’ and ‘Doyel’ as an alternative symbol. Party office secretary Mahiduzzaman Mahid said that the commission secretary has told them that it is not possible to allocate Shapla or Doyel symbols right now as they are considered national symbols. However, it has been informed that this proposal will be taken into consideration if the opportunity to add symbols arises in the future.

Nagorik Oikya claims that since they applied first, the Election Commission should give them priority. The party hopes that the commission will decide on this issue by maintaining fairness and impartiality.

On the other hand, on June 22, the last day of party registration, the National Citizen Party (NCP) applied for registration as a party and proposed to the Election Commission asking for 'Shapla', 'Kalam' and 'Mobile' as symbols. The convener of the party said that their first choice is the 'Shapla' symbol. He said that Shapla is the symbol of the people, the symbol of mass movement and the symbol of rural life - they want to be active in politics keeping this symbol in mind.

Explaining the rationale for using the Shapla symbol, NCP leader Nahid Islam said, "We have reviewed the laws and regulations of the Election Commission. There is no legal obstacle in using the Shapla. The national symbol 'Jackfruit' is already being used as the symbol of a political party. Although the rice ears, stars etc. are also part of the national symbol, they are being used politically. Therefore, the same view should be taken in the case of Shapla too."

In this situation, the decision of the Election Commission has now become the main issue. Which party will get the Shapla symbol? Now the entire political community is waiting for the final announcement of the commission. Such a strategic competition between two parties over a national symbol has caught everyone's attention.