A new political party, driven by the aspirations of the July Movement that toppled the Awami League government and reshaped Bangladesh’s history, is set to be launched on Friday.
Christened as the National Citizen Party, or NCP, it aims to offer a centrist alternative to the traditional political landscape dominated by the Awami League and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party.
By putting the key leaders of the youth-driven mass uprising at the forefront, it will seek to break the deadlock of entrenched duopoly in the forthcoming general election.
According to several senior leaders of the National Citizens’ Committee, the new party will formally emerge at Dhaka’s Manik Mia Avenue at 3pm.
Akhtar Hossain, who will take charge as the NCP’s general secretary, told bdnews24.com: “We are aiming to initiate a centrist politics that moves beyond traditional right-left ideologies, driven by the leadership of the youth.
“We are speaking of politics in the interest of Bangladesh, and of an independent foreign policy.”
He continued, “We will work to secure the rights and dignity of people through political efforts.
“We are bringing together all groups with differing views, focusing on citizen identity, citizen rights, and the highest position on the question of citizen dignity.
“We will unite people from different ideologies through this approach.”
The NCP’s central committee will include young student leader Nahid Islam, who resigned from his post as an adviser to the interim government two days ago.
His name has been finalised as the party’s convenor.
Akhtar, a former Dhaka University Central Student Union, or DUCSU, social welfare secretary and an ex-student of the law department, will serve as the party’s general secretary.
The Anti-discrimination Student Movement is a platform formed under Gonotantrik Chhatra Shakti, or Democratic Student Power, led by Akhtar, whose insightful leadership transformed the quota reform movement into an anti-government movement.
Nahid, one of the key coordinators of the Movement, was the convenor of the Gonotantrik Chhatra Shakti.
After the political change, the National Citizen Committee was formed on Sept 8, 2024, with 55 members, and later it expanded to 187 members in three phases.
As part of the process to form a new political party, the Committee has set up 159 Upazila committees, 273 district committees, 15 metropolitan committees, and 10 professional wings across the country.
Now, the nearly 40,000 workers in these committees have two options before them: they can either stay within the Citizens’ Committees to engage in political and social awareness work, or they can join the new political party, which will be announced on Friday.
The leaders of the Citizens’ Committee have already announced their intention to form a centrist political party by bringing together liberals, Islamists, right-wing, left-wing, and state reformists.
While the preparations for the party’s formation were generally well-organised, there was some disruption at the final stage.
Public disagreements over positions and leadership roles led to some tension among the senior leaders.
Even on the eve of the party announcement, some members were showing signs of psychological and emotional reactions regarding expected “important” and “honourable” positions.
In response to questions regarding the party’s ideology, the Chief Organiser of the National Citizen Committee Sarjis Alam said: “We will embrace a centrist approach, one focused on the interests of Bangladesh.
“We aim to avoid any division based on Bengali or Bangladeshi identities and would rather focus on becoming citizens,” he added.
WHO WILL LEAD THE NEW PARTY?
It has been learned from several top leaders of the National Citizens’ Committee that the party’s possible name could be the National Citizen Party, or NCP.
A Facebook page under this name has already been created.
At least 150 members are expected to be part of the party’s convening committee.
Former ICT advisor Nahid, a prominent student leader, has been appointed as the party’s convenor, while Akhtar will serve as general secretary.
Hasnat Abdullah and Sarjis are set to be confirmed as the key organisers of the party.
Both were closely associated with the Dhaka University chapter of Bangladesh Chhatra League, or BCL.
In the convening committee, Hasnat is likely to be appointed as the organiser for the southern region, while Sarjis may assume the same role for the northern region.
In the newly formed party, Nasiruddin Patwari, convenor of the National Citizens’ Committee, is expected to serve as the central coordinator.
Nasiruddin, a former student leader and organisational secretary of the Dhaka University chapter Bangladesh Student Federation, later joined the Amar Bangladesh Party, or AB Party, as a central leader.
Activists believe he played a crucial role in bringing together diverse classes, professions, and ideologies during his tenure with the National Citizens’ Committee.
Abdul Hannan Masud, one of the key figures in the Anti-discrimination Student Movement, is expected to hold a major leadership position, with discussions ongoing about his potential role as a joint chief coordinator.
He may also be appointed as the head of a specific wing of the new political party.
Names being considered for the role of joint convenor or senior joint convenor include National Citizens’ Committee Spokesperson Samanta Sharmin, Tasnim Jara, and Office Secretary Munira Sharmin.
Efforts are also under way to bring in Ali Ahsan Junaid and Rafe Salman Rifat, though both have already expressed their unwillingness to join the party.
Two former presidents of the secret committee at the Dhaka University unit of Islami Chhatra Shibir have remained absent from the ongoing efforts to form a new political party for the past 15 days.
Their recent public announcement on Facebook all but confirmed their departure, though sources indicate that the National Citizens’ Committee will continue attempts to bring them back until the last moment.
One name under discussion is Ariful Islam Adeeb, a student at Jahangirnagar University and former central general secretary of the Chhatra Odhikar Parishad. Adeeb is being considered for the role of senior joint member secretary in the new party.
Other potential candidates for the position include Nusrat Tabassum, a former joint general secretary of the Dhaka University branch of the Chhatra Odhikar Parishad and a leader in the Anti-discrimination Student Movement.
Regarding the formation of the political party, Nusrat told journalists: “Women’s leadership should not be viewed separately.”
“The July movement has shown the nation how women can step forward and take charge in times of need. Women have held key leadership positions, continue to do so, and will remain in such roles in the future.”
“In rebuilding and restructuring the country, men and women have equal roles. The new political party will ensure women’s participation and position more effectively through a democratic process than any other platform,” she concluded.
DECLARATION FIRST, CONSTITUTION LATER
NCP leaders have opted to delay the publication of their constitution, placing that responsibility in the hands of a convening committee instead.
However, a formal declaration will be read on the day of its inauguration.
Preparations for the launch are in their final stages, with the team finalising both the declaration and the framework for the constitution.
Akhtar Hossain, who is set to serve as the party’s member secretary, told bdnews24.com that an agreement on the party’s senior leadership was reached during a joint meeting.
The party will debut with a 150-member central committee, including individuals from diverse religious, social, and gender backgrounds across the country, he said.
On the question of the party’s governing document, Akhtar said: “The constitution will be drafted by the convening committee. Once a formal committee is in place, members will vote to finalise the document.”
The party’s long-term strategy includes nationwide expansion and meeting the requirements for political party registration.
“Our goal is to grow our presence as rapidly as possible following the launch. We believe we will be able to meet the necessary conditions for official recognition,” said Akhtar.
He continued, “We expect a new constitution in Bangladesh. For years, we have advocated for a Constituent Assembly election to draft such a document. We will find qualified leaders from across the country to win the election.”
“We are looking for individuals who have been engaged in politics for a long time and have maintained a transparent public image. These will be the leaders we take into elections,” Akhtar said.
Addressing reports of internal divisions within the party’s formation process, he acknowledged recent defections but expressed hope of reconciliation.
“We will make every effort until the last minute to bring back those who have distanced themselves. Even after the party is officially formed, we will continue to reach out to them,” he said.
PROCESS OF TRANSFORMATION
Meanwhile, the National Citizens’ Committee has announced on its official Facebook page that following the formation of the new political party on Feb 28, the committee will establish its operational framework within the next 15 working days.
The transition will be overseen by the current convener, member secretary, spokesperson, and chief organiser, who will hand over responsibilities to new appointees.
The committee said that the new leadership will determine, during a general meeting, the composition of the executive committee, as well as appointments to various cells and editorial positions.
With several current members joining the new party, the National Citizens Committee will undergo a restructuring process.
Membership will remain intact for those who choose not to join the party, and the committee will continue its activities with renewed vigour.
While it will serve as a civil-political platform, it will not initiate efforts to establish another political entity.
“The National Citizens’ Committee will remain steadfast and active in addressing the country’s political landscape and advocating for the interests of the people,” the statement read.
The committee further noted that all members of representative committees at the Upazila, police station, and ward levels—along with professionals involved in subcommittees—who wish to transition into the newly formed political party will be informed of the process in due course.
WHO IS GETTING INVITED TO THE LAUNCH PARTY?
Earlier, the NCP had said that all political leaders, diplomats, and key government figures who contributed to the country’s anti-fascist movement would be invited to the party’s launch event.
On Thursday evening, Abdul Hannan Masud, a coordinator for the group, along with several chief advisors, delivered the invitation to Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus.
Following the meeting, Masud said: “The chief advisor has graciously accepted our invitation and extended his best wishes.”
According to Masud, Yunus emphasised the need for political parties to collaborate in shaping the future of Bangladesh, vowing to foster an inclusive environment where all groups can work together for the country.
The coordinator of the Anti-discrimination Student Movement also outlined the party’s plans to extend invitations to other major political entities.
“We will deliver our letter to the chairman and secretary general of the BNP, the country’s largest political party,” Masud said.
“We will also try to deliver the invitation directly to Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Islami Andolan, and Ganatantra Mancha. Several teams are currently working to ensure these invitations reach key figures across different sectors.”