[🇧🇩] A New Political Party: National Citizen Party

[Saif]

‘Be ready, Razakar’: Shroud, threat note left for NCP leader’s home in Rajshahi

A National Citizen Party leader in Rajshahi’s Mohanpur has alleged that unidentified assailants tried to set fire to his home before leaving a burial shroud and a threatening note. The note, written in Bengali, read: “Be ready, Razakar. Take your parents’ blessings. Your days are

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

‘Be ready, Razakar’: Shroud, threat note left for NCP leader’s home in Rajshahi

bdnews24.com
Published :
Aug 10, 2025 22:28
Updated :
Aug 10, 2025 22:28

A National Citizen Party leader in Rajshahi’s Mohanpur has alleged that unidentified assailants tried to set fire to his home before leaving a burial shroud and a threatening note.

The note, written in Bengali, read: “Be ready, Razakar. Take your parents’ blessings. Your days are over. Joy Bangla, Joy Bangabandhu”.

Khalid Hasan Milu, a member of the NCP’s Rajshahi district coordination committee and former organiser of the Students Against Discrimination, said the attack took place late on Saturday in his native Dhurail village.

According to Milu, the assailants poured petrol and lit a fire outside his house around 11:30pm, moments after he returned home.

“Someone outside said, ‘Come out and see.’ When I stepped out, I saw flames on a tin wall and smelled petrol,” he said.

Neighbours and a night guard helped extinguish the fire, he said.

Police later recovered the shroud and note from the scene.

“Because of the rain, the house was wet and the fire didn’t spread,” Milu added, claiming the message’s “Joy Bangla” slogan indicated who was behind it.

NCP District Joint Coordinator Nahidul Islam Saju called the incident “shameful”, blaming “Awami League activists”.

Mohanpur police chief Ataur Rahman said officers were dispatched and action would follow if a formal complaint was filed.​

 

[Saif]

Four NCP leaders hold 2-hour meeting with US chargé d’affaires

Four National Citizen Party (NCP) leaders have held a two-hour meeting at the Dhaka residence of Tracy Ann Jacobson, the US chargé d’affaires in Bangladesh. The party’s Convenor Nahid Islam, Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain, Senior Joint Member Secretary Tasnim Jara, and Joint Me

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Four NCP leaders hold 2-hour meeting with US chargé d’affaires

bdnews24.com
Published :
Aug 12, 2025 00:38
Updated :
Aug 12, 2025 00:38

Four National Citizen Party (NCP) leaders have held a two-hour meeting at the Dhaka residence of Tracy Ann Jacobson, the US chargé d’affaires in Bangladesh.

The party’s Convenor Nahid Islam, Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain, Senior Joint Member Secretary Tasnim Jara, and Joint Member Secretary Alauddin Mohammad visited her residence on Monday afternoon.

Political Economic Counsellor Eric Gillan and two other senior officials of the US embassy were also in attendance.

The meeting took place six days after rumors spread of a meeting between five top NCP leaders and former US Ambassador Peter Haas in Cox’s Bazar on the anniversary day of the July Uprising.

According to an NCP press release, the meeting involved exchanges of views on Bangladesh’s current political and law and order situation, upcoming national elections, democratic processes, and global cooperation.

“The July Proclamation, July Charter, and NCP’s July march were also in discussion. Ambassador Jacobson pledged US support for strengthening Bangladesh’s democratic process. She also inquired about NCP’s plans for the upcoming election.”

The US embassy officials held this meeting as part of ongoing discussions with political parties in Bangladesh, NCP leader Alauddin told bdnews24.com.

“Since our office is in a commercial building and considering security, we held the meeting at the residence of the chargé d’affaires. We talked about the current political situation, the 24-point agenda, and future political plans,” he added.

However, the US embassy issued no official statement about the meeting.

On Aug 5, while the celebration of the July Uprising was under way at Dhaka’s Manik Mia Avenue, news broke that five top NCP leaders had gone to Cox’s Bazar.

They were Joint Convenor Khaled Saifullah, his wife and Senior Joint Member Secretary Tasnim, Chief Organiser (Northern Region) Sarjis Alam, Chief Organiser (Southern Region) Hasnat Abdullah, and Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary.

Rumours spread that they were meeting former US ambassador Peter Haas at a hotel there. The NCP leaders denied this.

No proof later emerged that Haas was in Cox’s Bazar that day.

The party later showcased the five for the Cox’s Bazar trip without informing anyone.

In response, Nasiruddin wrote that he had gone to Cox’s Bazar to privately think about the “future direction of politics”.

Hasnat explained that he went to Cox’s Bazar to express his “silent protest” against the “incomplete July Proclamation”.​

 

[Saif]

Uprising goals unmet after one year: Nahid

National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam has said the core aspirations that fuelled last year’s July Uprising remain unfulfilled. Speaking at an International Youth Day event at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh in Dhaka on Tuesday, Nahid urged a critical review of the changes si

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Uprising goals unmet after one year: Nahid

Published :
Aug 12, 2025 21:33
Updated :
Aug 12, 2025 21:33

National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam has said the core aspirations that fuelled last year’s July Uprising remain unfulfilled.

Speaking at an International Youth Day event at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh in Dhaka on Tuesday, Nahid urged a critical review of the changes since the Awami League government was toppled in August 2024, reports bdnews24.com.

“We must assess what we gained, what the youth achieved, and how much the country has changed. Without taking stock, we cannot set our next tasks,” he said.

Calling the July Uprising “unfinished”, Nahid accused “vested interests” of betraying the youth and attempting to derail the 2024 movement, which began as an anti-quota protest before swelling into a mass uprising.

“The equation is not over yet,” he said. “Those rushing to conclude it are mistaken. The power of the Uprising is still on the ground. We made concessions over the past year, but there will be no compromise on the July Charter — not even one percent.”

“Until the promises we made, and those the government made over the blood of martyrs, are fulfilled, no government will survive and no party will come to power,” he warned.

​

 

[Saif]

No election before July Charter execution, says NCP

Top leaders of the National Citizen Party on Tuesday said that the party would not compromise over the implementation of the July Charter, adding that the upcoming national election must be held after the implementation of the charter.

www.newagebd.net

No election before July Charter execution, says NCP
Staff Correspondent 13 August, 2025, 00:36

Top leaders of the National Citizen Party on Tuesday said that the party would not compromise over the implementation of the July Charter, adding that the upcoming national election must be held after the implementation of the charter.

Nasiruddin Patwary, one of the top leaders of the party, said that the elections would not be held in February. ‘If the interim government wants to hold the election in that month, the government will have to return the sacrifices of the July uprising martyrs and injured,’ he said.


The remarks were made at the National Youth Assembly-2025, organised by the NCP’s youth wing National Youth Force at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh in the capital’s Farmgate area to mark International Youth Day.

Addressing the event as the chief guest, NCP convener Nahid Islam said, ‘The force of the uprising is still on the scene. We have made compromises in the past one year. We have made compromises in connection with the July Declaration. There will be no compromise made in connection with the July Charter — not even one per cent.’

The NCP will not allow the interim government, established on the blood of July martyrs, to go without implementing the promises of building a discrimination-free Bangladesh, he assrerted.

‘No political party will be able to come to power before the implementation of the promises,’ Nahid went on to say.

He stated that the promises of ’90 mass uprising were not kept and every arrangement was done to betray the ’24 mass uprising.

Another 1/11 may return if the political parties fail to remain united to build a new Bangladesh, Nahid hinted.

NCP member secretary Akhter Hossen said, ‘The next election must be based on the July Charter.’

Expressing doubt about the implementation of the July Charter, Akhter threatened the government and political parties that the demand for the implementation would be realised through street movements if table discussion did not work.

‘No election bypassing the trial and reforms will be accepted,’ said Akhter.

Both chief organiser for North Sarjis Alam and chief organiser for South Hasnat Abdullah condemned the defamation case filed against Sarjis by a Bangladesh Nationalist Party leader.

They also condemned media houses for trying to establish the fascist narratives, even after the uprising, and spreading media propaganda against the leaders of the party.

Stating that the election will not be held in February, NCP chief coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary questioned, ‘Why have so many people sacrificed their lives if the election will be held in the same fascist system?’

Besides, Bangladesh Nationalist Party joint secretary general Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Anee, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami nayeb-e-amir Syed Abdullah Muhammad Taher and Amar Bangladesh Party general secretary Asaduzzaman Fuad, among others, were present at the event.

National Youth Force convener Tarikul Islam presided over the event and read out its youth manifesto.​

 

[Saif]

NCP sells 1400 nomination forms ahead of candidate screening

Preliminary interviews set for November 22, 23

www.thedailystar.net

NCP sells 1400 nomination forms ahead of candidate screening
Preliminary interviews set for November 22, 23

National Citizen Party (NCP) has sold around 1,400 nomination forms as of 6:00pm today, according to the party's central election management committee. The nomination form sale period will remain open until 12:00am tonight.

Party sources said candidates who collected nomination forms will be interviewed by party leaders on November 22 and 23 as part of preliminary screening.

Meanwhile, preparations for the party's election manifesto are underway, led by Nasiruddin Patwary, Sarwar Tushar, and Khaled Saifullah. The party has indicated that all election preparations will be completed by December 15.

Among the party leaders, Nahid Islam has secured nomination form for Dhaka-11; Akhter Hossen for Rangpur-4; Nasiruddin Patwary for Dhaka-18; Tasnim Jara for Dhaka-9; Samantha Sharmin for Bhola-1; Sarjis Alam for Panchagarh-1 and Hasnat Abdullah for Cumilla-4.​

 

[Saif]

Alliance of NCP, Gono Odhikar Parishad, AB Party and 3 others put on hold

Talks on a possible electoral alliance between the National Citizen Party (NCP), Amar Bangladesh Party (AB Party), Gono Odhikar Parishad, Rashtro Songskar Andolon, and Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) have been put on hold for now. Whether they will eventually form an alliance will only become...

en.prothomalo.com

Alliance of NCP, Gono Odhikar Parishad, AB Party and 3 others put on hold
Asif HowladarDhaka
Published: 27 Nov 2025, 21: 28

Nahid Islam, Mojibur Rahman Monju, Hasnat Kaiyum and Nurul Haque Nur

Talks on a possible electoral alliance between the National Citizen Party (NCP), Amar Bangladesh Party (AB Party), Gono Odhikar Parishad, Rashtro Songskar Andolon, and Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) have been put on hold for now.

Whether they will eventually form an alliance will only become clear after the election schedule for the national parliamentary polls is announced.

This alliance was supposed to be formally launched on Thursday afternoon, Thursday, at the Shaheed Abu Sayed Convention Centre in Shahbagh.

But late last night, leaders of the NCP, AB Party, Gono Odhikar Parishad, and Rashtro Songskar Andolon held a long meeting, where the NCP strongly objected to one particular issue.

In addition, there are divisions among the leaders of Gono Odhikar Parishad regarding joining the alliance. These two factors mainly prevented the finalisation of the alliance discussions.

Since Wednesday afternoon, the NCP Executive Council discussed the pros and cons of joining such an electoral alliance for nearly four hours.

Most leaders expressed a positive attitude toward the alliance. However, a majority objected to including UP Bangladesh (United People Bangladesh)—a political platform formed by some former leaders of Islami Chhatra Shibir—within the alliance.

Later, from 10:00pm onward, NCP leaders held a meeting with Gono Odhikar Parishad leaders at a location inside Rupayan Trade Centre, Banglamotor.

Representing the NCP were Convener Nahid Islam, Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain, Chief Organisers Hasnat Abdullah and Sarjis Alam, and Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary.

Representing Gano Odhikar Parishad were its President Nurul Haque, General Secretary Rashed Khan, Senior Joint General Secretary Hasan Al Mamun, Senior Vice President Faruk Hasan, and Higher Council members Abu Hanif and Shahidul Islam.

Sources say Gono Odhikar Parishad leaders asked whether any outline or framework for the alliance had been drafted.

NCP leaders replied that it had not yet been prepared. Some leaders of Gono Odhikar Parishad questioned the rush to announce the alliance and called for more time to discuss it.

They also said that talks could have begun earlier. At one point, Gono Odhikar Parishad leaders even raised the possibility of merging the party with the NCP.

According to meeting sources, Gono Odhikar Parishad leader Rashed Khan took the firmest position on these matters. Asked about the discussions, Rashed told Prothom Alo, “We held preliminary talks about forming an alliance. No decision has been made yet.”

Alliance, if formed, will be before the election schedule

Around 1:00am, AB Party Chairman Mojibur Rahman and Rastra Sangskar Andolon President Hasnat Kaiyum joined the discussions between NCP and Gono Odhikar Parishad leaders.

The meeting lasted until 3:30am. But as several issues remained unresolved, the meeting ended without a decision.

Later on Thursday morning, NCP’s Media Cell Secretary Mushfiq-us-Salehin informed journalists that the alliance would not be announced today. Talks are ongoing, and once finalised, the announcement will be made officially.

A top leader of one of the political groups involved told this reporter that the process stalled mainly for two reasons: the NCP’s strong opposition to including UP Bangladesh, and internal divisions among Gono Odhikar Parishad leaders regarding joining the alliance.

Asked for comment, AB Party Chairman Mojibur Rahman told Prothom Alo that discussions are ongoing among the NCP, AB Party, Gono Odhikar Parishad, Rastra Songskar Andolon, and JSD to form a political alliance, which will transform into an electoral coalition. If the alliance materialises, he said, it will happen before the election schedule is announced.​

 

[Saif]

One party plays ‘Liberation War’ card, the other ‘religion’: Nahid

NCP convenor urges unity through referendum on reforms

www.thedailystar.net

One party plays ‘Liberation War’ card, the other ‘religion’: Nahid
NCP convenor urges unity through referendum on reforms

Photo: Star

National Citizen Party (NCP) convenor Nahid Islam today said that political strategies employed during the Awami League era are being implemented again ahead of the upcoming election.

Speaking at a prayer programme at the NCP central office this evening, organised to mark the release of Bangladeshi expatriates imprisoned in the United Arab Emirates during the July uprising, he accused rival parties of playing a divisive game.

"One party is playing the 'Liberation War' card, creating a dichotomy of Liberation War versus Razakar, while another is using the 'religion' card -- Islam versus anti-Islam," he said, adding that pushing the country towards such division is playing a role in reviving the strategies of the Awami era.

Nahid warned that attempts were being made to create confusion before the polls and obstruct the reform process. "One party openly opposes reforms, while another secretly opposes them. As a result, we have not been able to reach a consensus on reforms," he said.

"Through the referendum, citizens will decide for or against reforms, and we believe, people will vote wisely. Except for the followers of the fallen fascist, few are expected to oppose the reforms. We will all vote 'yes'," Nahid declared while speaking on referendum.

Nahid added that NCP would uphold its commitment to the people and to the martyrs of July without making political compromises.

At the event, Nahid Islam wished good health for BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia and expressed gratitude to Bangladeshi expatriates, including those still imprisoned in the UAE, pledging to stand by them always.​

 

[Saif]

'Our organisation is weak because we haven’t had enough time to build it'

NCP Convener Nahid Islam tells Reuters

www.thedailystar.net

'Our organisation is weak because we haven’t had enough time to build it'
NCP Convener Nahid Islam tells Reuters

Nahid Islam, convener of the Jatiya Nagorik Party (National Citizen Party), newly formed by Bangladeshi students, who were at the forefront of last year's protests that ousted then-Prime-Minister Sheikh Hasina, poses for a photo, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, March 5, 2025. (Photo: REUTERS/Mohammad Ponir Hossain)

Thousands in Bangladesh flocked to hear the plans of the students who toppled long-time leader Sheikh Hasina when they launched a new political party this year, but now it finds itself struggling to translate the street power into votes.

Fighting to deliver on its promise to free the nation from decades of nepotism and two-party dominance, the student-led National Citizen Party (NCP) faces entrenched rivals with deep networks and resources as polls approach in February.

"Our organisation is weak because we haven't had enough time to build it," said its chief Nahid Islam, prominent in last year's deadly anti-government protests, who served briefly in the caretaker administration under Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus.

"We are aware of this, but we are still taking on the challenge," added the 27-year-old, speaking from the party office in a high-rise in Dhaka, the capital, where one wall was covered in graffiti depicting crowds in revolt.

POLLS SHOW PARTY PUSHED TO THIRD PLACE

Opinion polls show the NCP, which aims to contest all 300 seats, in third place, with support of just 6%, far behind the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, which leads with 30%.

Even the hardline Jamaat-e-Islami will do better than the NCP, coming in second with 26%, a December poll by a U.S.-based non-profit, the International Republican Institute, showed.

"When they first launched, I saw hope in them, like everyone," said Prapti Taposhi, 25, who helped lead the revolt and looked to the newcomers to break decades of rule by two dominant parties, only to say she was eventually disappointed.

"They say they are centrist, but their actions don't match that," added Taposhi, a feminist activist.

"They hesitate to take positions on important issues, whether it's minority rights or women's rights, and when they do, it comes too late."

Another sign of growing disenchantment was the party's failure to win a single seat in September's student body election at Dhaka University, the epicentre of the uprising that forced Hasina to flee to New Delhi.

Hasina's Awami League, which remains barred from contesting the election, has warned of unrest if the ban is not lifted, a threat that could imperil Bangladesh's textile industry, the world's second biggest garment exporter.

TALKS FOR POLITICAL ALLIANCE

Hampered by a skeletal structure, scarce funds, and a stance on key issues such as rights for women and minorities widely seen as unclear, the NCP is holding talks with other parties, including the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami, leaders say.

"If we stand independently, there is a chance we may not win even one seat," a senior NCP leader told Reuters on condition of anonymity, acknowledging the risks.

On the other hand, say analysts, an alliance risks diluting the party's "revolutionary" image.

"If they ally, the public will no longer see them as a distinct force outside the Awami League, BNP and Jamaat," said Dhaka-based writer and political analyst Altaf Parvez.

While the uprising briefly united students across party lines to oust Hasina, most returned to their respective groups afterwards, leaving just a fraction to form the NCP, said political analysts and one NCP leader.

Now the party faces rivals with long-entrenched networks and well-oiled machinery stretching deep into villages.

FUNDRAISING IS A HURDLE

Money is another hurdle, Islam said, as members rely on salaries from full-time jobs, small donations and crowdfunding to keep campaigns afloat.

Some, like 28-year-old Hasnat Abdullah, have tried to drum up support by going door-to-door in villages.

"In my constituency, I tell people I am penniless," he said, referring to an eastern region where he plans to contest. "I told them a leader's main job is not to give voters money, but to ensure government funds are properly allocated and used."

Graft accusations against some NCP leaders, which the party denies, saying it has a zero-tolerance policy on corruption, have further dented its image, however.

'OFFERING SOMETHING NEW'

Yet some young people are still inclined to support the party, seeing it as striving for a more egalitarian culture in a political landscape shaped by money, muscle and dynastic power.

"They are young, they led the revolution, and I'm hopeful they can deliver change — as long as they don't turn authoritarian themselves," said one such backer, university student Manzila Rahman.

The NCP launched an unusual search for candidates in November, interviewing more than 1,000 applicants among ordinary citizens nationwide over two days.

Young party leaders moved from booth to booth interviewing hopefuls, including a rickshaw puller who took a day off work for the tryout, and a 23-year-old student partially blinded by police pellets during the protests.

"Some may think a rickshaw puller has nothing to offer in parliament," said Mohammad Sujan Khan, 32. "Give me a chance and see what I do to change the country."

The chance of such a future attracted Tasnim Jara, a doctor who left a successful career in Cambridge to join the NCP, seeking to help build it from the ground up.

"We want to open up politics, not keep it confined to powerful families, and give power back to ordinary people," she said.

BNP and Jamaat leaders also see value in engaging with students.

"It's the young people who are going to dominate politics in the future, so it will be good if we can accommodate them in parliament," said BNP leader Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.

NCP leaders say they are thinking beyond the upcoming vote, aiming for institutional and structural reform in the long term.​