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

[Saif]

Nahid wants consensus on justice and reforms before polls

National Citizen Party (NCP) convener Nahid Islam on Monday urged the political parties to form a consensus on justice and reforms before election. “I want to tell political parties, do not do politics of delaying justice and reforms. Form a consensus on justice and reforms, we will make arr

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Nahid wants consensus on justice and reforms before polls
UNB
Published :
Mar 10, 2025 21:05
Updated :
Mar 10, 2025 21:05

National Citizen Party (NCP) convener Nahid Islam on Monday urged the political parties to form a consensus on justice and reforms before election.

“I want to tell political parties, do not do politics of delaying justice and reforms. Form a consensus on justice and reforms, we will make arrangements for your elections,” Nahid said.

He said this at an iftar and prayer meeting with the injured and family members of the July movement martyrs organised by the NCP at Suhrawardy Udyan.

Nahid said, "I will tell the government that a roadmap for quick justice and reforms must be prepared. A clear roadmap must be announced immediately as to how long and through what process we will be able to see visible justice and reforms."

The NCP convener also said, "We will want a clear answer from the advisers we have placed in power, including the chief adviser, as to how much our reforms have been implemented."​

 

[Saif]

National Citizen Party should not deviate from politics

After Nahid Islam's resignation from the post of adviser, an unbelievable scene was witnessed on social media: people from all political affiliations wished him success in his political journey. We had known for some time and saw that he had taken on the responsibility of being the leader of the...

en.prothomalo.com

National Citizen Party should not deviate from politics
Zahed Ur Rahman
Teacher at IUB
Updated: 13 Mar 2025, 22: 22

After Nahid Islam's resignation from the post of adviser, an unbelievable scene was witnessed on social media: people from all political affiliations wished him success in his political journey. We had known for some time and saw that he had taken on the responsibility of being the leader of the 'Students' Party,' the National Citizen Party (NCP). Along with him, many young leaders, who were at the forefront of the July-August mass uprising, have also joined the leadership.

When the National Citizen Party was officially announced, all political parties, except the Awami League and its allies, wished them well. It goes without saying that wishing someone success in politics is not enough to achieve it. They are stepping into a fierce battle, where no competitor will give them an inch, as they all are driven by their own interests.

How successful will this party, formed in a very challenging environment, be? The leaders and activists of this newly formed party need to understand that to succeed in politics, they must actually practice politics. I'll explain why 'practicing politics' is important in the last part of this article.

At a time when a party like India's Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) formed and won elections in places like Delhi in a short span, some in Bangladesh have questioned why a similar, public welfare-focused party isn't forming here.

I believe that during the Awami League’s time in power, the situation was not conducive to the formation of a new political party. When a state lacks politics, when a mafia regime uses state institutions to exercise brutal force and hold on to power, there is no real reason for a political party to form or grow. In such a context, even if extraordinary people come together with fantastic programmes, the public could not trust them because they lacked the power to elect a party through the vote.

Under these circumstances, a party that could generate intense mass movements through huge public support to force the government to resign was necessary. Now, after two decades, a political party can form and grow democratically in Bangladesh.

When discussing the success of the National Citizen Party as a political force, many are highlighting its leadership, which had been at the forefront of the mass uprising that brought down a tyrannical ruler like Sheikh Hasina. The argument being made is that since they managed to do such a large task, creating and succeeding with a political party will be comparatively easier for them.

However, the skill of overthrowing a dictatorial government is different from the ability to create a political party and connect with people at the grassroots level to succeed in electoral politics. Just because someone has the skill to overthrow a dictatorship doesn’t guarantee they will have the skill to succeed in electoral politics.

Three student representatives worked as advisers in the post-uprising government, and there is talk of coordinators outside the government exerting influence over it, so one of the significant challenges for the National Citizen Party will be proving that they are not a party created with the support of the government ('king's party').

The National Citizen Party surely knows that while political realities are important, so are perceptions. As long as Nahid Islam was part of the government before his resignation for joining the party, it cannot be that he had not in his mind about the launching of new political party. The same applies to the other two student advisers, who are likely to join the National Citizen Party in the future after resigning from the government.

After Sheikh Hasina's fall and flight, a path to democratic recovery has begun to take shape. Despite repeated efforts by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus to outline this path, various conspiracies continue to develop. Some influential forces are trying to obstruct the country's democratic progress through flashy talk. Many people do not consider the alignment of the NCP’s views with those of these forces as a coincidence.

In this case, the argument for resigning from the government to join a political party is not enough. Imagine if three advisers from the government declared they were thinking of joining the BNP but insisted they would not do so while remaining in the government. They must resign from the government before joining the BNP. Would such a situation be acceptable?

A recent example of forming a 'king’s party' in Bangladesh was during the period of the 1/11 government. The Progressive Democratic Party (PDP), led by Ferdous Ahmed Qureshi, was established under the supervision of civilian-masked military rulers. Despite Qureshi’s illustrious political career, his party failed because he was almost unknown to the public at the time.

In contrast, the leadership of the NCP, who had bravely fought against Sheikh Hasina’s authoritarian regime, has already earned the public's sympathy. Whether they can translate this emotional connection into organisational strength and electoral success remains to be seen.

The biggest challenge for the NCP will likely be ideological differences within the party. Since people from all political spectrums, from right-wing to left-wing, participated in the movement for the downfall of Sheikh Hasina, the party aims to unite them all and move forward together. To achieve this, they have chosen a pragmatic political path—centrism.

Through prioritising public welfare over ideological positions, their politics is supposed to help avoid these internal conflicts. However, even before the formation of the party, we saw internal ideological differences surface. The NCP has already faced intense disputes over whether "ex-Shibir" leaders like Ali Ahsan Junaid and Rafe Salman Rifat, both former leaders of Dhaka University’s Chhatra Shibir, would join the party. These two influential figures, after much debate, decided not to join the party.

In Bangladesh’s current context, where ideological disputes are rampant and sometimes deliberately stirred up, the big question is whether the NCP will be able to avoid these internal conflicts.

The NCP is, in essence, a party of young people. Many young activists, who were at the forefront of the mass uprising, have now joined the party. Many of them, who had excellent careers abroad, have returned to Bangladesh. Many overseas Bangladeshis are also supporting the party through activism and fundraising. The party has a strong chance of success, driven by the energy of the youth.

However, the 'students' party' label could also be a weakness for the NCP. People may perceive it as a party of inexperienced, immature individuals, which could create negative circumstances for the party. In a country like Bangladesh, with its extremely complex political and social environment, knowledge, intelligence, and talent alone are not enough; long-term experience is also a significant prerequisite for political success.

In the face of intense mass uprisings, the fall of Sheikh Hasina and her subsequent flight, the BNP is now the dominant political force in the field, effectively unchallenged in the electoral arena. In the current scenario, it is almost certain that the BNP will return to power in the future. Politics doesn’t leave a vacuum, and a political force will inevitably rise to challenge the BNP in the electoral arena. In terms of organisational strength, the alternatives at the moment are the Awami League, Jamaat-e-Islami, and Islamist identity-based politics. None of these, I believe, will be suitable for the welfare of the nation.

It would be a great thing for the people if a strong centrist party emerged, focusing on the welfare of the marginalised communities while ensuring the well-being of all citizens. In this regard, the National Citizen Party must quickly present its goals, ideals, and agenda in a clear, accessible language to the public.

After Sheikh Hasina's fall and flight, a path to democratic recovery has begun to take shape. Despite repeated efforts by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus to outline this path, various conspiracies continue to develop. Some influential forces are trying to obstruct the country's democratic progress through flashy talk. Many people do not consider the alignment of the NCP’s views with those of these forces as a coincidence.

Given the history of political parties being part of conspiracies in this country, I hope the NCP will avoid being involved, knowingly or unknowingly, in any such conspiracy. The party should focus solely on politics. This will be beneficial for both the party in the long term and the state as a whole.

*Zahed Ur Rahman, political analyst and university teacher

* This column appeared in the print and online edition of Prothom Alo and has been rewritten for the English edition by Rabiul Islam​

 

[Saif]

NCP focuses on organising party, meeting registration terms

The party aims to form committees at union, upazila, thana, and district levels within the next two months.

en.prothomalo.com

NCP focuses on organising party, meeting registration terms
Md. Asif Howladar
Dhaka
Published: 15 Mar 2025, 16: 49

Leaders of youth-led National Citizen Party launched in Dhaka on 28 February 2025 File photo

As the National Citizen Party (NCP) is planning to field candidates in all seats in the upcoming elections, keeping this in mind, its policymakers have now focused on strengthening the party’s organisational capacity and fulfilling the election commission conditions for registration.

They have initiated a process to form a special team in this regard.

The NCP, formed by student leaders who led the July uprising, made its debut on 28 February. In the meantime, the election commission has issued a public notice inviting applications from new parties for registration.

In conversations with NCP leaders at different levels, it was learned that the party aims to form committees at union, upazila, thana, and district levels within the next two months.

The EC notice mentioned that interested pirates must submit applications for registration by 20 April.

According to sources, the NCP is trying to fulfill the conditions within the stipulated period. Preparations are underway to establish the required number of party offices and complete other necessary works. It is less likely that the process will advance in the holy month of fasting. Hence, the NCP may apply to the EC for extending the timeframe.

NCP leaders have already started communicating at the grassroots level, while the work of organising the party will begin in full swing after the Eid-ul-Fitr.

According to sources at the high level, a decision will be taken after registration whether the NCP will join an electoral alliance or contest the elections alone.

NCP senior joint convener Ariful Islam Adib said the process of forming a special team is underway to prepare for the registration.

If a party wants to participate in the national elections with a party symbol, it has to first apply to the election commission for registration. According to the representation of the people order, 1972, if a party wants to get registration, it must fulfill any one of three conditions – win at least one seat under the party symbol in any parliamentary election held after independence; secure 5 per cent of the total votes in the constituencies where the party's candidates have contested; and have an active central office with a central committee and offices in at least one-third of the districts. Besides, there must be party offices in at least 100 upazilas or police stations in metropolitan areas, each of which must have at least 200 voters as members.

In addition, some provisions must be clearly mentioned in the party charter. At least 33 per cent of the posts at all levels of the party committees, including the central committee, must be reserved for women members. There must be no affiliate organisations for students, teachers, finance, business, or industrial workers.

However, the election system reform commission proposed relaxing some conditions for the registration of new political parties. They proposed that a party must have offices in 10 per cent of districts and 5 per cent of upazilas or police stations, in addition to at least 5,000 members. As these proposals have not yet been finalised, the previous conditions will be applicable for registration of new parties.

Two NCP leaders told Prothom Alo on Wednesday that they are receiving various suggestions over meeting the registration conditions, through the party’s Facebook group. However, no decision has been made yet regarding the office. They are now looking for a central office.

Besides, they are yet to finalise a constitution for the party. The second general meeting, scheduled before the Eid, is likely to finalise all these issues, according to them.

Joynal Abedin Shishir, the senior member secretary of the NCP, said their party is against imposing any conditions for registration. “Even if the NCP follows the current process, there are more than 450 citizen committees across the country. Just by converting them (to party committees), the conditions for registration will be fulfilled. It will not be difficult for us to fulfill the conditions of the district office and upazila office, Insha Allah."

Another NCP leader said on condition of anonymity that a delegation from the NCP will go to the election commission next week and apply to extend the registration time. “Time may be sought until May-June. Besides, the reform commission recommendations will be presented.”​

 

[Saif]

Sarjis clarifies ICU absence, helicopter controversy

NCP leader Sarjis Alam addressed concerns over his use of a helicopter to attend Achiya’s Janaza in Magura, as well as questions about why he did not visit her in the ICU before her passing. In a Facebook post on Saturday, he clarified, “When I heard that Achiya was no more, I rushed t

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Sarjis clarifies ICU absence, helicopter controversy
UNB
Published :
Mar 15, 2025 19:53
Updated :
Mar 15, 2025 19:53

NCP leader Sarjis Alam addressed concerns over his use of a helicopter to attend Achiya’s Janaza in Magura, as well as questions about why he did not visit her in the ICU before her passing.

In a Facebook post on Saturday, he clarified, “When I heard that Achiya was no more, I rushed to the CMH. Upon learning that there were vacant seats on the helicopter allocated for family by the army and RAB, I expressed my wish to attend her funeral in Magura. After the funeral, I returned to Dhaka.”

He also explained why he had not visited Achiya in the ICU, writing, “I went to Dhaka Medical College Hospital. When I learned that she was in the ICU, I did not enter because there is a risk of infection from visitors. Instead, I gathered information from outside and left without posting any pictures.”

Sarjis also said when Achiya was later transferred to CMH in a critical condition, he visited the hospital in the evening with members of his party. But since ICU visits were strictly prohibited, he stayed outside, spoke with the on-duty doctor, and received updates before returning home.

He refrained from posting about this on social media but continued to check on Achiya’s condition through student representatives from his party.

Responding to criticisms regarding his public presence during the case, Sarjis said, “Let’s talk straight about this ‘footage’ issue. A brutal crime was committed against my sister Achiya. From my position, I immediately informed the police administration and urged swift action to arrest the culprit.”

He added, “The High Court later announced that rape trials must be completed within 180 days. I personally shared my opinion with an important official, suggesting that even 180 days is too long. The trial should be concluded within one to two months—otherwise, public attention fades, and the punishment loses its deterrent effect. However, I did not post about this on Facebook.”

He criticises the media and the public for selectively judging incidents based on social media activity. “People assume that whatever is posted online is the full picture. If nothing is shared, they think nothing has been done. It’s as if the focus is only on ‘footage.’ If something is posted, people call it ‘attention-seeking,’ but if nothing is shared, they claim nothing happened. When will this double standard be replaced with a single, consistent standard?”

He also accused certain media outlets of misrepresenting his activities. “The funeral was at 7pm. We arrived at 5:30pm and waited in a room for an hour and a half. At one point, I briefly checked my phone notifications. At that exact moment, someone took a picture and Kaler Kantho, like many other times, published it on their online poster, showing their unprofessionalism. They also made it look like we were just sitting there staring at our phones the whole time. They could have used a normal picture of us sitting there at any other time if they wanted to. But they didn’t do that in the hope of getting more reactions.”

He questioned the ethics of such reporting, saying, “If you sit somewhere for 90 minutes, wouldn’t you check your phone at least once? Yet, the media portrayed it as if we did nothing else.”

Sarjis concluded by urging critics to focus on real actions rather than online narratives.

It’s easy to analyse from behind a screen. But those whom you criticise—despite constraints and limitations—are the ones actually on the ground, taking action. Before making another online judgment, I request that you also set an example for us to follow. We are eager to learn from your good work. Take care, he wrote.​

 

[Saif]

https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/national/nahid-calls-for-consensus-to-end-mujibbadi-politics-in-bangladesh

Nahid calls for consensus to end ‘Mujibist’ politics in Bangladesh
FE ONLINE DESK
Published :
Mar 19, 2025 19:38
Updated :
Mar 19, 2025 23:02

National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam on Wednesday urged political parties to reach a political consensus so that there would be no room for “Mujibist” politics in the election and politics of future Bangladesh.

“On August 5, 2024, the people of Bangladesh defeated the force and actually ousted Mujibism and the fascist Awami League. So, there should be no place for Mujibist politics in the future politics and Bangladesh elections,” he said.

Since a trial process is underway in this regard, even this question (return of Awami League to Bangladesh politics) should not come before the trial, he said.

Nahid made the call while addressing an Iftar Party at Dhaka Ladies Club here, which was hosted by BNP in honour of the leaders of different political parties, says a UNB report.

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman and leaders of different parties spoke at the event.

Talking about an inclusive election, the NCP chief said he thinks there are political parties to make it inclusive by representing the people of Bangladesh. “We believe that we bear the spirit of the struggle and the mass uprising that took place against Mujibism,” he said.

Nahid hoped that a political unity would be there in the current political situation.

Nayeb-e-Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Dr Syed Abdullah Muhammad Taher said he on behalf of his party requested all to forge a national unity on four points—the independence and sovereignty of Bangladesh, a sustainable democracy, a fair election and a corruption-free Bangladesh.

“I think national unity will still be the most powerful tool in building the future of Bangladesh to create a beautiful and prosperous Bangladesh,” he said.​