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

[Saif]

NCP urges political parties to unite on fundamental reform initiatives

National Citizen Party (NCP) member secretary Akhtar Hosen on Sunday called on all political parties to unite in support of fundamental reform initiatives. “We request the political parties to stand together in favour of fundamental reforms realising the people’s opinions and expectations, so...

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NCP urges political parties to unite on fundamental reform initiatives
Staff Correspondent Dhaka
Published: 29 Jun 2025, 23: 09

National Citizen Party member secretary Akhtar Hosen talks to the media at Doel Hall of the Foreign Service Academy, Dhaka following a discussion with the National Consensus Commission on 29 June 2025 Prothom Alo

National Citizen Party (NCP) member secretary Akhtar Hosen on Sunday called on all political parties to unite in support of fundamental reform initiatives.

“We request the political parties to stand together in favour of fundamental reforms realising the people’s opinions and expectations, so that no authoritarian regime can ever again be established in Bangladesh,” Akhtar Hosen said.

He said this at Doel Hall of the Foreign Service Academy in the capital following a discussion with the National Consensus Commission today, Sunday.

Today was the seventh day of the second phase of discussions with political parties, aimed at building consensus on reforms.

Agenda of the discussion included: the appointment committee for constitutional and statutory bodies, the structure of a bicameral parliament, the election process for the upper house, and its responsibilities and role.

Akhtar Hosen alleged that the progress on fundamental reforms is stalled because of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and several like-minded parties.

He stated, “A new Bangladesh has been born through the blood of its people. No incoming government should have the power to recklessly misuse constitutional bodies like the election commission, Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), or public service commission (PSC); to appoint partisan loyalists at will; to manipulate institutions for its own interests; to suppress dissent; or to prevent accountability. Those who want to create such a situation have no connection with the people, and the people cannot, in any way, align themselves with such forces.”

He emphasised that the National Citizen Party is the most sincere about pursuing reforms. “The majority of the public is waiting outside this room. They are observing which parties are seeking fundamental reforms and which are not.”

Mentioning that negotiations are going on over the reform agenda, Akhtar Hosen added, “Even in Sunday’s discussions, we remained far from the realities of fundamental reforms. Due to opposition from the BNP and a few other parties, it has not been possible to reach consensus on the issue of the appointment committee for constitutional and statutory bodies.”​

 

[Saif]

NCC revises proposals but parties stay divided

The National Consensus Commission on Sunday came up with revisions in the constitutional and statutory appointment committee and the upper house of a bicameral parliament...

www.newagebd.net

NCC revises proposals but parties stay divided
Staff Correspondent 29 June, 2025, 23:59

The National Consensus Commission on Sunday came up with revisions in the constitutional and statutory appointment committee and the upper house of a bicameral parliament.

However, the session of the second-round NCC dialogue, held at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka on the day, was adjourned without a majority agreement on the revisions as several parties, including the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, continued to oppose some provisions of the fresh proposals.

BNP’s rejection of the revised appointment committee and electoral framework for the upper house drew frustration from multiple parties, notably the National Citizen Party, Amar Bangladesh Party, and Gano Adhikar Parishad.

Chaired by NCC vice-chair Professor Ali Riaz, the commission proposed that the seven-member appointment committee would select top officials specifically for the Election Commission, Anti-Corruption Commission, Public Service Commission, Comptroller and Auditor General, and the Human Rights and Information Commissions.

The appointment committee, however, would include, as stipulated earlier, the prime minister, speakers of the both parliamentary houses, the main opposition leader, a representative from the other opposition parties, and one nominee each from the president and the chief justice. The lower house speaker would serve as the chair.

The revised proposal says that at least five members must agree on a list of candidates, which would be made public and subject to interviews in person.

The president would finalise the appointments within 10 days of receiving the list. The committee’s mandate would expire upon the dissolution of Jatiya Sangsad, stipulates the fresh proposal.

The BNP, represented by its standing committee member Salahuddin Ahmed, reasserted its firm opposition to the idea of such a high-powered committee.

If the prime minister’s term is limited, the judiciary is fully independent, and elections are held under a credible caretaker government, neutral appointments can be ensured without a new committee structure, Salahuddin argued.

Other parties also raised objections to the revised proposal, with Gano Adhikar Parishad opposing the inclusion of a presidential nominee, Khelafat Majlish freshly suggesting the promotion of a new chief election commissioner from the existing commissioners if the post becomes vacant during a caretaker government period.

The Bangladesh Jatiya Dal, Jamiat Ulama-e-Islam, and Bangladesh Labour Party also turned down the revised proposal, questioning how the NCC decided on the reform of the constitution’s article 70 despite BNP’s note of dissent on it.

In response, NCC vice-chair Riaz urged the parties to discuss the fresh proposal in their party forum.

‘The commission does not want to reach a ‘consensus’ with dissension,’ Riaz said.

The NCC presented new terms of reference also for the upper house.

The NCC has proposed a 300-member lower house that would be formed by the first-past-the-post electoral system, while 100 additional reserved seats for women would be filled also by direct election.

The fresh proposal, in this regard, recommended that the senate would consist of 100 members to be elected by proportional representation based on the votes casted.

The NCC maintained that the Electoral Reform Commission-proposed half of the upper house seats be filled by party-nominated candidates while the remaining 50 per cent would be reserved for different professionals and representatives from marginalised communities.

The BNP, while agreeing to the proposed 400-member lower house and 100-member upper house, rejected proportional representation based on the vote share, saying that it would consider alternative models if there were any.

The Communist Party of Bangladesh, Samyabadi Dal, and Socialist Party of Bangladesh maintained their reservations against the bicameral legislature, arguing that the country’s current political maturity did not warrant such structural expansion.

The Islami Andolan stuck to its earlier advocated vote share-based proportional representation both in the lower and upper houses while the Jamiyat Ulama -e-Islam supported bicameralism but suggested deferring it for the next parliament election.

Parties, including the NCP, AB Party, Ganosamhati Andolan, Revolutionary Workers Party, Rashtra Sangskar Andolan, and Nagorik Oikya, continued their support for proportional representation in the upper house.

The Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal-JSD and Bangladesh Jatiya Jamajtantrik Dal-Jasod, based on their party decisions, also backed bicameralism but strongly recommended that the upper house must be composed of non-partisan members.

Providing a new proposal, it said that all 400 seats of the lower house should be open to both male and female candidates, but Jamiyat Ulama-e-Islam secretary general Monjurul Islam Afandi reiterated his party’s opposition to increasing reserved seats for women.

Aam Janata Party central committee member Sadhana Mahal criticised the parties opposing women’s political representation.

Politicians expressed divergent opinions even over the NCC-proposed terms of reference for the upper house.

According to the fresh proposal, the upper house may hold a bill for a maximum of two months. If it fails to act within that period, the bill will be considered automatically passed. The upper house may return the bill to the lower house with amendments, which the lower house can accept in full, in part, or reject entirely.

Opposing the idea, BNP’s Salahuddin recommended that the upper house might hold a bill for a maximum of one month.

In the Sunday’s session, the BNP’s opposition to the revised proposals led to visible irritation among other parties, including the NCP, AB Party, and Gano Adhikar Parishad.

NCP member secretary Akhtar Hossain accused the BNP of stalling the consensus dialogue and allowing regressive politics to dominate.

Jamaat nayeb-e-ameer Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher questioned the NCC’s special consideration for the parties who opposed the proposed reforms.

Gano Adhikar Parishad president Nurul Haque Nur requested the senior politicians to consider the reform dialogue seriously to honour the July uprising.

As discussions grew increasingly polarised, the NCC vice-chair concluded the session by adjourning the talks until July 2.​

 

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No autocrat remains in power forever, says Nahid

Referring to the fall of Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League regime in a student-led mass uprising, National Citizen Party convener Nahid Islam on Wednesday said that no autocrat remained in power forever...

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No autocrat remains in power forever, says Nahid
Our Correspondent . Kurigram 03 July, 2025, 00:32

Referring to the fall of Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League regime in a student-led mass uprising, National Citizen Party convener Nahid Islam on Wednesday said that no autocrat remained in power forever.

Nahid also stated that the Teesta Master Plan must be done in a realistic manner and Kurigram must not left behind in the development plan.

‘The NCP will not accept any excuse for delaying the Teesta Master Plan,’ said Nahid, also a former central leader of the Students Against Discrimination which spearheaded the July uprising that ousted the Awami League regime on August 5, 2024.

The NCP leader made these remarks while addressing a brief rally in Kurigram’s Ghoshpara area as part of the party’s countrywide programmes, from July 1 to August 5 marking the first anniversary of the uprising, those began on Tuesday from Rangpur.

A group of student and youth leaders who led the uprising formed the political party, NCP, on February 28.

On Wednesday afternoon, NCP leaders, activists and supporters held a march from Kurigram’s Trimohoni bazar to Ghoshpara area.

Central NCP leaders, including its chief organiser for the South Hasnat Abdullah, chief organiser for the North Sarjis Alam, chief coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary, senior joint convener Samanta Shermeen and senior joint member secretary Tasnim Jara, among others, also took part in the march.

Addressing the rally, Nahid also said that even though the fascist Awami League had fallen, the fascist system had not changed yet.

He sought supports of the people for the NCP to bring changes in the system.

Nahid ended the rally after seeking everyone’s support for NCP joint convener Atiq Mujahid as the party candidate for the Kurigram-2 constituency in the next general elections.

On the second day of the party’s countrywide programmes, the leaders and activists of NCP also held marches and rallies in Lalmonirhat.

The NCP will hold marches in all districts till July 30, demanding trial of Awami League and its leaders for atrocities during mass uprising, reforms in various sectors and a new constitution aiming at building a discrimination-free Bangladesh.​

 

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NCP warns of consequences for bringing back ‘old culture of terrorism’

National Citizen Party (NCP) Convenor Nahid Islam on Thursday warned that those attempting to revive the old culture of terrorism will face consequences like those faced by autocrat Sheikh Hasina, as the spirit of the July warriors remains alive. “An attempt is being made to bring back the o

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

NCP warns of consequences for bringing back ‘old culture of terrorism’

UNB
Published :
Jul 03, 2025 19:39
Updated :
Jul 03, 2025 19:39

National Citizen Party (NCP) Convenor Nahid Islam on Thursday warned that those attempting to revive the old culture of terrorism will face consequences like those faced by autocrat Sheikh Hasina, as the spirit of the July warriors remains alive.

“An attempt is being made to bring back the old culture…we are seeing that again. Those who carried out the July people’s uprising are still awake, still on the streets. If anyone thinks that they can bring back the old occupation and the politics of old terrorism, then their fate will also be like that of the dictator Hasina,“ he said while addressing a street rally in Nilphamari district town on the third-day of their ‘July March’.

Expressing frustration over the fulfillment of July expectations, he said many desires have not been yet fulfilled post the uprising, vowing to continue their fight.

Recalling the contribution of all walks of life to oust the Sheikh Hasina government, he said the discrimination-free country is yet to be established despite sacrificing thousands of lives.

Nahid said they did not need to form a political party if all demands were met post the uprising.

Regarding the justice for the July victims, those who, including Sheikh Hasina and her collaborators carried out genocide must be tried, otherwise pains of the martyr families will not wipe out.

“There must be fundamental reforms, and we must move towards elections through these reforms. Bangladesh needs a new constitution. The Awami League and the ‘Mujibbadi constitution’ must be discarded. There is no point in retaining a constitution that is not the constitution of people,” he said.

Party’s chief organiser (southern region) Hasnat Abdullah, senior joint convenor Samanta Sharmin, senior joint member secretary Dr Tasnim Zara, and joint chief organiser (northern region) Abu Sayed Leon were, among others present.

Chief organiser (northern zone) Sarjis Alam conducted the event.​

 

[Saif]

We must fight if new dictators or fascists emerge: Nahid Islam

National Citizen Party (NCP) convenor Nahid Islam on Friday remarked Sheikh Hasina or the other leaders of her party cannot actually be leaders of a political party as they fled the country, abandoning their party’s activists. He said Sheikh Hasina fled the country abandoning her party leaders...

en.prothomalo.com

We must fight if new dictators or fascists emerge: Nahid Islam
Correspondent Panchagarh
Published: 04 Jul 2025, 18: 53

National Citizen Party convenor Nahid Islam addresses the opening ceremony and brief meeting of the NCP’s Atwari upazila unit office at Fakirganj Bazaar in the upazila of Panchagarh district on 4 July 2025 Prothom Alo

National Citizen Party (NCP) convenor Nahid Islam on Friday remarked Sheikh Hasina or the other leaders of her party cannot actually be leaders of a political party as they fled the country, abandoning their party’s activists.

He said Sheikh Hasina fled the country abandoning her party leaders and activists. Members of her family and party who became wealthy through corruption and oppression have also left the country, leaving all their party leaders and activists in peril. They cannot claim to be leaders of any party.

He made those remarks during the opening ceremony and brief meeting of the NCP’s Atwari upazila unit office at Fakirganj Bazaar in the upazila of Panchagarh district around 11:30 am Friday.

NCP central leaders arrived in Panchagarh on Thursday afternoon as part of the “July march to build the nation”.

“In Bangladesh, a handful of people have established dictatorship and fascism, and only they have earned wealth. This one family, the family of Mujib, has claimed ownership of everything and turned into a Zamindar. We have broken that Zamindari system through a mass uprising,” Nahid Islam said.

Issuing a warning, he further said, “If any new dictatorial, fascist, or extortionist regime emerges again, we must resist and speak out against it. Let’s ensure that no new culture of fear is created in Bangladesh. We must protest any injustice or oppression we see.”

Nahid Islam, who emerged into national politics from the mass uprising, criticised the Awami League’s claims of being a secular party, stating that it has never done justice to the followers of the Sanatan (Hindu) religion.

“In previous regimes, we saw our Hindu brothers were tortured, their lands were grabbed, but they did not get justice. In the new Bangladesh we want, everyone must enjoy equal rights, justice, and harmony as citizens of the country,” he stated.

The NCP convenor further said, “Following the mass uprising, we hope to rebuild the nation on the basis of equality, justice, and communal harmony. It will be a country free from extortion and terrorism. Those of us who led this people’s uprising have now united to form this new party, the National Citizen Party, a party that wants to speak for you, speak for the common people, stand against injustice and oppression, and promote the politics of justice.”

NCP chief organisers Hasnat Abdullah (southern region) and Sarjis Alam (northern region) also spoke at the meeting.

Later, they departed for Thakurgaon district.​