Staff Reporter :
The National Citizen Party (NCP) on Sunday unveiled a sweeping 24-point election manifesto aimed at building a “New Bangladesh” grounded in justice, democratic reform, and social equity.
The announcement was made at a public rally held at the Central Shaheed Minar in Dhaka, where NCP leaders pledged to restructure the state from its constitutional foundations.
Standing at the base of the national monument, NCP Convener Nahid Islam declared, “We are announcing the 24-point manifesto of New Bangladesh, rooted in the dreams of those who sacrificed their lives for this country.”
The core proposals include adopting a new constitution under a “Second Republic,” recognition and prosecution of those responsible for the July uprising, democratic reform of state institutions, a service-oriented administration, and a just legal system.
The manifesto also promises universal healthcare, a citizen-focused law enforcement structure, gender empowerment, climate resilience, and a research-driven digital economy.
It underscores the party’s vision of inclusivity, pledging respect for all religious communities and ethnic identities.
Ahead of the manifesto launch, NCP Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain described the declaration as a “guiding document” for the nation’s future.
“This manifesto will be our compass as we search for solutions to the country’s deepest crises,” he said. “We will move forward with all people-men and women, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, Christians, and all ethnicities.”
The rally began around 4 p.m. with thousands of activists from across the country joining under banners of the NCP, its labor wing, and the Bangladesh Gonotantrik Chhatra Sangsad.
Party flags and festoons flooded the Shaheed Minar premises, while the Dhaka Metropolitan Police and Rapid Action Battalion set up control rooms nearby to monitor security. Bomb disposal units, K-9 squads, and CTTC teams were also on site.
Addressing the gathering, Senior Joint Member-Secretary Tasnim Jara emphasized the party’s pledge for a universal, digitalized healthcare system. “We envision a future where no one is denied treatment due to lack of funds.
Every citizen will have a digital health ID, and we will prioritize strengthening primary healthcare,” she said. Jara added that the NCP’s economic philosophy is rooted in a welfare model designed to eliminate wealth disparity.
Senior Joint Chief Coordinator Abdul Hannan Masud hit back at recent criticisms of the party’s leadership.
“Some have tried to make the word ‘coordinator’ controversial. But I take pride in this identity.
We will stand our ground and fight for what is just.”Also present were NCP Chief Coordinator Nasir Uddin Patwary, Chief Organisers Hasnat Abdullah (South) and Sarjis Alam (North), Senior Joint Conveners Monira Sharmin and Samantha Sharmin, and Joint Member Secretary Akram Hossain.
In a closing statement, Nahid Islam reiterated that the NCP’s mission is to build a democratic, inclusive, and rights-based Bangladesh. “We are forming a political party where autocracy will find no refuge,” he said.
The NCP is expected to submit its manifesto to the National Election Commission in the coming weeks as part of its campaign preparations.
