Nahid resigns to lead new party

Reza Mahmud :

The Anti-Discrimination Student Movement (ADSM) is set to announce the formation of a new political party, with a formal declaration scheduled for Friday at 3pm on Manik Mia Avenue.
Sarjis Alam, chief organiser of the Jatiya Nagarik Committee (JNC), revealed the announcement date during a press briefing at the committee’s office on Monday. The new political party is expected to be formed from the political platform ‘Jatiya Nagarik Committee (JNC)’, which has been working towards this goal.
According to JNC leaders, the new party is being created to continue the fight in the spirit of the July uprising, with the official announcement due on Friday. The convening committee of the new party will be announced, featuring prominent leaders from the July uprising-who were instrumental in toppling the Awami League government-taking centre stage.
In a significant development, Advisor Nahid Islam has resigned from the interim government’s advisory council after joining the new political party, marking his official entry into the political arena.
Nahid, who has overseen the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting as well as the Ministry of Post, Telecommunications, and ICT since the interim government assumed power, submitted his resignation at 2pm on Tuesday, as confirmed by Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources Advisor Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan.
In his resignation letter, Nahid explained, “Given the current circumstances, I believe it is essential for me to be actively engaged with students and the public for the greater good of our country and nation. Therefore, I find it appropriate to step down from my responsibilities.”
Nahid is believed to be joining the new political party and has been speculated to take on the role of convener.
Previously, Nahid played a pivotal role during the 36-day movement that led to the ousting of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, serving as a coordinator for the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement.
In the wake of Hasina’s fall and the BNP’s calls for a swift election, the formation of a new political party has garnered significant public attention.
When contacted, renowned political analyst and Dhaka University Professor Dr SM Ali Reza told The New Nation on Tuesday, “The announcement regarding the formation of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement’s new political party has attracted considerable public interest.”
However, the professor cautioned that it is too early to predict how the new party might establish itself within the existing political landscape.
In a separate comment, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi told The New Nation on Tuesday, “Student leaders have every right to form a political party, and we support their freedom to do so.”
“We have fought for 17 years to ensure the people’s right to form political parties and make independent decisions,” Rizvi added.
Earlier, the leaders of ADSM and JNC launched the “New Bangladesh in Your Eyes” opinion campaign on February 5 to gauge public sentiment regarding their new party. So far, over 200,000 people have participated, according to JNC’s Akhtar Hossain.
Public feedback from the campaign highlights priorities such as a corruption-free nation, good governance, accountability, social justice, equal opportunities, economic growth, and institutional reform. “Our party will align its agenda with these expectations,” Hossain said.
The survey also emphasises the importance of honesty in leadership, internal democracy, inclusivity, and the avoidance of family-based leadership. Suggested names for the new party include Janatar Dal, Notun Bangladesh Party, and Republic Party, while popular symbols under consideration include the rising sun, books, trees, fists, and pens. The final symbol will be decided upon registration.
JNC sources indicate that Nahid Islam may resign from the interim government’s advisory council to lead the new party, with Hossain likely confirmed as its member secretary.