Staff Reporter :
The National Citizen Party (NCP), a new political platform led by student leaders, officially commenced its journey on Friday with the announcement of its convenor, Nahid Islam, and member secretary, Akhtar Hossain.
The party was inaugurated at a grand event held at Manik Mia Avenue in the capital, where Meem Akhtar, sister of July mass uprising martyr Ismail Hossain Rabbi, announced the party’s key leadership positions.
The declaration of the party’s 151-member committee began at approximately 6:15 PM. Following the announcement of the convenor and member secretary, Akhtar Hossain read out a partial organisational structure of the party. Among the key positions, Samanta Sharmin and Ariful Islam Adib were appointed as senior joint convenors, while Tasnim Zara and Nahida Sarwar Niva took
on roles as senior joint member secretaries. Regional leadership appointments were also announced, with Hasnat Abdullah designated as the chief organiser for the southern region and Sarjis Alam for the northern region.
Additionally, Nasiruddin Patwari was named as the chief coordinator, and Abdul Hannan Masud as the senior joint chief coordinator. Akhtar Hossain later revealed the names of other joint convenors, joint member secretaries, and joint chief organisers.
The launch event witnessed the presence of political figures from various parties. The programme commenced with a recitation from the Holy Quran, followed by the national anthem and a one-minute silence in memory of the martyrs of the July mass uprising. Representatives from different political parties, along with leaders and supporters of the National Citizens’ Committee and the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, gathered at the venue.
Addressing the audience, NCP convenor Nahid Islam emphasised the party’s commitment to a sovereign and independent Bangladesh, free from external influence.
He stated, “There will be no place for pro-India or pro-Pakistan politics in Bangladesh. We will build the state with Bangladesh at the centre, prioritising the interests of the Bangladeshi people.”
Expressing solidarity with the student protesters of the July mass uprising and the families of the martyrs, Nahid Islam stressed the importance of looking forward rather than dwelling on past events.
Referring to the famous slogan of the uprising, “Who are you? Who am I? Alternative! Alternative!” he highlighted that the formation of NCP embodies that very alternative. “From today, we pledge that Bangladesh will not be divided,” he declared.
Unity, sovereignty, reforms underscored
Hasnat Abdullah, convenor of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, made a strong statement regarding national sovereignty.
He remarked, “On 5 August, we laid the foundation for the downfall of the Awami League’s misrule. It is the people of Bangladesh, not India, who will decide who enters Parliament.” He also criticised past electoral practices and governance failures, pledging to restore transparency and justice in the state’s institutions.
Sarjis Alam, another prominent leader of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, underscored the necessity of political unity to rebuild Bangladesh. He stated, “If we set aside our small political interests and unite, we can achieve our dreams. Let us pledge that in our short lives, we will not betray the immense responsibility entrusted to us.”
Alam also accused Sheikh Hasina of dismantling the country’s institutions and called for political solidarity to restore them. “We must hold her accountable through collective efforts. No political party should shield criminals,” he asserted.
Political leaders, diplomats attend
The launch of NCP attracted a broad spectrum of political leaders, including Nagorik Oikya president Mahmudur Rahman Manna, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami secretary general Mia Golam Parwar, Ganosamhati Andolon chief coordinator Zonayed Saki, Biplobi Workers Party leader Akbar Khan, and Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis general secretary Maulana Jalal Uddin Ahmed. Other notable attendees included Islami Andolan Bangladesh presidium member Ashraf Ali Akand, Hefazat-e-Islam’s Nayeb-e-Ameer Ahmad Ali Qasemi, and Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh executive president Major (Retd) Abdul Mannan.
Diplomatic representatives were also present at the event, with Kamran Dangal, political counsellor at the Pakistan High Commission in Dhaka, and the Ambassador of Vatican City to Bangladesh seen among the front rows.
