# National Citizen Party

The National Citizen Party (Bengali: জাতীয় নাগরিক পার্টি, romanized: Jātīẏô Nāgôrik Pārṭi) abbreviated as NCP, is a political party in Bangladesh. Initiated by the Students Against Discrimination and the Jatiya Nagorik Committee, it was established on 28 February 2025 as the first student-led political party in the history of Bangladesh. It was established as the aftermath of the July Revolution.
After the fall of the Awami League government following the July Revolution on 5 August 2024, rumours emerged about the formation of a new political party. During the uprising, a manifesto by the leadership of the Students Against Discrimination mentioned the idea of a new political arrangement. Subsequently, in September, the Jatiya Nagorik Committee was formed with the aim of restructuring the country. In December, it was revealed that a new party would be formed in February 2025, and efforts were made to establish committees in every thana across Bangladesh. In February, the Students Against Discrimination and the Jatiya Nagorik Committee reached a final decision to form a new political party, with plans to announce the formation of the party between 23 and 25 February. The party was formed on 28 February 2025, with Nahid Islam from the interim government as its convener.
NCP's primary aim is to establish the Second Republic of Bangladesh and continue to gather public support for this. The party leaders self-describe their party as centrist and pluralist.

## Name and symbol

Several names were proposed in the opinion polls for the party, with top names included Revolutionary Popular Struggle Party, National Revolutionary Power, People Against Discrimination, Bangladesh Citizen Party, National Citizen Committee, Student–People's Party, National People Power Party, and National Citizen Power. For the party's symbol, top proposals included a clenched fist, elephant, tiger and hilsa fish.

## History
### Background

A faction of the Bangladesh Chhatra Odhikar Parishad, which led the 2018 quota reform movement, split from the group and formed a student organization called Gonotantrik Chhatra Shakti on October 2, 2023. In 2024, alongside most student organizations in Bangladesh, the leaders of Gonotantrik Chhatra Shakti joined a non-partisan political platform named the Students Against Discrimination, participating in the quota reform and non-cooperation movements. The members of this new student organization played a leading role in these movements. On August 5, 2024, during the student-people uprising, Sheikh Hasina, the President of the ruling Awami League, resigned from the position of Prime Minister and fled to India, leading to the fall of her government. After the success of the uprising, rumors spread that the Students Against Discrimination was going to form a new political party. However, on August 16, the organization's central coordinator and advisor to the interim government, Nahid Islam, dismissed these rumors, stating that there were no plans to form a party at the moment, and that their organization was focused on implementing a new political arrangement as per their proposed manifesto.
On September 8, the Jatiya Nagorik Committee was established under the leadership of Akhter Hossain, convener of Gonotantrik Chhatra Shakti, and Nasiruddin Patwari of Amar Bangladesh Party, with the aim of restructuring the country. On September 14, 2024, Gonotantrik Chhatra Shaktiwas dissolved. The announcement of the dissolution, following the upheaval, led to speculations that the organization's leaders would enter politics. On the other hand, a source within the organization revealed that the key leaders of Gonotantrik Chhatra Shakti were working towards forming a political party. However, on October 25, the central coordinator of the Students Against Discrimination and main organizer of the Jatiya Nagorik Committee, Sarjis Alam, stated that forming a new political party immediately after the uprising would cause division within the country. He mentioned that while they had the right to form a political party, it could be done in the future under a different platform and name. On October 27, Asif Mahmud, the central coordinator of the Students Against Discrimination and advisor to the interim government, labeled the rumors of a new party as propaganda, stating that "now is not the time to form a party."
In November 2024, Sarjis Alam highlighted the need for more political parties in Bangladesh and left the decision of forming a new student-led political party to the people. In the same month, it was decided that after the formation of a political party by the Students Against Discrimination and the Jatiya Nagorik Committee, both organizations would not be dissolved. Instead, they would function as "pressure groups" for the new party, allowing their members to join the party without any formal affiliation to the organizations.
In December 2024, a survey published by the BRAC Institute of Governance and Development indicated that 40% of voters would support the new student-led party in the upcoming national elections. In December, a source revealed that the new party would be officially launched in February of the following year. It was also reported that committees would be formed in every police precinct across Bangladesh by January to support this goal.

### Preparations

In January 2025, over a hundred names were proposed for the new party by the planners. On January 27, a public opinion poll released by the Bangladesh Youth Leadership Center revealed that young people were more interested in reforms within existing political parties than in the new political party. According to a report by Amar Desh newspaper, students at Dhaka University had positively accepted the idea of the new political party formed by the students involved in the uprising.
In 5 February, public opinion surveys regarding the new party began. In early February 2025, various sources indicated that Nahid Islam might be the proposed convener (leader) of the party. In the same month, the Students Against Discrimination and the Jatiya Nagorik Committee reached a final decision to form a new political party. According to reports from February 13, the final preparations for the formation of the party were ongoing. According to information provided by the leaders of the Nagorik Committee, the announcement of the formation of the political party was planned for between February 23–25. During a meeting of the Jatiya Nagorik Committee, Akhter Hossain's name was tentatively finalized for the position of leader.
It has been reported that the announcement of the new political party's formation will take place at an event held either at Dhaka's Central Shaheed Minar or in front of the National Parliament Building on Manik Mia Avenue. The party's headquarters is planned to be established in Farmgate or Banani, Dhaka. According to Samanta Sharmin, the spokesperson of the Jatiya Nagorik Committee, an application for registration will be submitted to the Election Commission as soon as possible after the party's formation is announced. It was learned that, as part of its political activities to attract public attention, the party plans to organize a 15-day-long march from the home of martyr Abu Sayeed in Rangpur (who was killed in the July massacre) to the home of another martyr, Wasim Akram, in Chattogram. However, considering that Ramadan is upcoming, this plan may be temporarily postponed.
By February 17, the final decision was made regarding who would occupy the nine positions in the new party. It was reported that Samantha Sharmin or Umama Fatema from the Students Against Discrimination could be selected for the position of spokesperson. On the same day, Nahid Islam announced that he would formally decide whether he would leave his advisory position and join the new party within the current week.
On February 19, it was revealed that discussions were being accelerated regarding the addition of Nurul Haque Nur from the Ganadhikar Parishad to the new party, amid a dispute over the position of member secretary. He had expressed interest in either the role of convener or member secretary. However, the organizers of the new party preferred Nahid Islam as the convener, which led to the possibility of an alliance between the new party and Ganadhikar Parishad. According to an online survey conducted by Daily Ittefaq from February 17 to 19, Sarjis Alam had secured the top spot for the position of member secretary, surpassing Nasiruddin Patwari and Akhter Hossain. A source on February 20 indicated that the new party could be officially launched on the 26th. On February 21, it was reported that the number of positions in the new party would be increased to resolve conflicts over party roles. It was also revealed that former military personnel would join the new party, and the Jatiya Nagorik Committee was scheduled to meet with some of them on February 22. According to sources on February 22, while nine names were under consideration for the new party, English names were being prioritized. However, due to the number of candidates exceeding the number of positions, the organizers were under pressure to finalize the committee.

### Establishment

   In July 2024, through immense sacrifice, the students and the masses orchestrated an unprecedented uprising, toppling the fascist regime that had gripped the country for nearly a decade and a half. However, we must remember that this new freedom, won through the sacrifices of countless martyrs, was not simply to replace one government with another. Rather, the people rose in response to the aspiration of dismantling the entrenched fascist system and rebuilding the state on the foundation of people's rights. It is with this vision that we announce the formation of the National Citizen Party (NCP)—a democratic, justice-oriented, and truly representative political party.
The launch event of the new party was attended by the families of those injured and killed in the uprising and the July massacre, political party leaders, diplomats, and student coordinators of public and private universities who led the July Revolution. Various political figures, including chief adviser Muhammad Yunus and former prime minister Khaleda Zia, were invited to the launch ceremony. The launch ceremony began at 4:20 pm in 28 February. After recitation from the Quran, Gita, Tripitaka, and Bible, the national anthem was sang. A minute of silence was then observed in memory of those killed in the July massacre. After showing documentaries, Mim Akhter, sister of victim Ismail Hossain Rabbi, who was killed in the July massacre, announced the launch of the party and announced the names of Nahid Islam as the convener and Akhter Hossain as the member secretary. Akhter Hossain then announced the names of the party's convening committee members. Then, as convener, Nahid Islam read out the manifesto of the National Citizens Party.

## Ideology

The party's primary goal is to establish the Second Republic which enshrined in their founding manifesto. NCP argues that the current Constitution of Bangladesh fosters "constitutional autocracy" which needs to be dismantled. On its founding day, party leader Nahid Islam stated that they want to create a second republic by writing a fresh constitution to replace what they call unfair government control. Islam said the party will focus only on Bangladesh's needs, not on supporting India or Pakistan. The goal is to build a fair system where people's rights are protected, corruption and nepotism are eliminated, and wealth is shared more equally. They aim to prevent the return of authoritarian rule, build a self-sufficient economy, and ensure that no citizen faces discrimination or abuse of power.
The party describes itself as centrist and pluralist. Party's chief organiser (northern) Sarjis Alam described centrism and "Bangladeshism" as the "most important term" in their party. According to the organisers, the party would take a centrist approach rather than a left-wing or a right-wing ideology; with the core principles would include equality, justice and good governance. The organisers claim that they would try to avoid left-right division to reflect pluralism. According to the top leaders of Students Against Discrimination and Jatiya Nagorik Committee, the political foundation of the party would be based on the creation of East Bengal in 1947, the independence of Bangladesh in 1971, and the July Revolution of 2024. The organisers aim to create the party in an anti-authoritarian model.
However, it is still doubted how much "centrist" the party is. The party didn't formally clarify what "centrism" perceived to them, with many of its politicians having diverse or unclear concept of centrism. Party's senior joint convener Ariful Islam Adib described centrism as the "end of polarising politics" in Bangladesh. According to the political analyst and professor of Dhaka University Mohammad Mojibur Rahman:
   "But the reality is that people have been watching the party organisers since August of last year. Many of them have been involved in many incidents that do not go with the notion of centrism. They do not have any announced programme yet. It seems that they have entered the field unprepared."
Party's member secretary Akhter Hossain argued that his party wouldn't support secularism, saying: "In the fundamental principles of the existing constitution, Islamophobia has been practiced in Bangladesh in the name of secularism. Through this word, division has been created instead of religious harmony. More division is increasing through politics. We want to go beyond the politics which is of the word secularism and do the politics of harmony." Acknowledging the concerns from the liberal background that the party may become aligned with right-wing Islamists, Nahid Islam refuted the allegations, describing them as "propaganda meant to tarnish the party's reputation". He stated that: "Islam is the majority religion in Bangladesh and we are sensitive to that, we are sensitive to those values, but we do not want to create any extremist party or any pro-Islamic party. This is very clear."
The party organisers said to have analysed the history of various political parties worldwide such as Turkey's Justice and Development Party (AKP), Pakistan's Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), and India's Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to win public support. Party organisers opined that it would participate in the next general election independently without forming any alliance. However, a source from the Students Against Discrimination stated that if the interim government calls for a general election before implementing necessary state reforms, the party would refrain from participating. According to members of the executive committee of Jatiya Nagorik Committee, the party plans to announce a programme for 2035 and 2047.

## Organisation

Initially, it was proposed to form a joint convener committee of 150–170 members for the party under the leadership of Nasiruddin Patwari and Akhter Hossain. It was reported that by February 2025, nearly 10,000 members had joined the 400 committees formed across the country for the new party. As of 22 February, the organisational positions of coordinator, member secretary, spokesperson, chief organizer, senior joint convener, and senior joint member secretary were finalised. The financial needs of the party would be met through monthly membership dues and crowdfunding.
Jatiya Nagorik Committee stated that the new party may include not only students but also retired military personnel, government officials, businesspeople and politicians those who were previously active in politics against the Awami League.
On 28 February 2025, the National Citizen Party (NCP) was formed, with Nahid Islam as the convener of the newly launched youth-led party, while Akhter Hossain will serve as the member secretary. The announcement was made by Mim Akhter, the sister of July mass uprising martyr Ismail Hossain Rabbi, at the party's launching ceremony held in front of the parliament complex in Dhaka's Manik Mia Avenue.
The party's leadership structure includes a 151-member committee. Hasnat Abdullah has been appointed as the chief organiser for the southern region, with Sarjis Alam taking the same role for the northern region. Samantha Sharmin and Ariful Islam Adib were named senior joint conveners, while Tasnim Zara and Nahida Sarwar Niva will serve as senior joint member secretaries. Other key appointments include Nasiruddin Patwari as chief coordinator and Abdul Hannan Masud as senior joint coordinator. On 2 March, NCP declared its 171-member full committee, which includes politicians from diverse ideological background, ranging from rightists, leftists, Islamic clerics, Marxists, feminists, ethnic and religious minorities, Dalits and Harijans etc.
| Position | Name | Previous position |
| Convener | Nahid Islam | Adviser of the interim government |
| Member Secretary | Akhter Hossain | Member Secretary of JNC |
| Senior Joint Convener | Samantha Sharmin | Spokesperson of JNC |
| Senior Joint Convener | Ariful Islam Adib | |
| Senior Joint Member Secretary | Dr. Tasnim Zara | |
| Senior Joint Member Secretary | Nahida Sarwar Niva | |
| Chief Organiser (north) | Sarjis Alam | Chief Organiser of JNC |
| Chief Organiser (south) | Hasnat Abdullah | Convener of SAD |
| Chief Coordinator | Nasiruddin Patwary | Convener of JNC |
| Senior Chief Coordinator | Abdul Hannan Masud | |

## Controversies
### Allegations of goverment sponsorships

Multiple political parties raised concerns about the new party formation process, accusing the neutral interim government of sponsoring it. On January 30, 2025, Nahid Islam stated that no decision has been made yet regarding his resignation. In an interview by Financial Times published on the same day, the government's chief adviser and economist Muhammad Yunus expressed support for the students' formation of a new political party, despite discouraging them. However, he also expressed concern that they could become divided during the process of forming the party, and he acknowledged that they would have to continue their work with that risk in mind.

### Internal conflict

The names of Nasiruddin Patwari, Akhter Hossain, and Sarjis Alam were under discussion for the position of member secretary of the new party. During a meeting of the Jatiya Nagorik Committee,Akhter Hossain's name was tentatively finalized for the position. However, a dispute broke out between Akhter Hossain's supporters and those of Ali Ahsan Junayed, who later resigned from the party, an former member of the Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir, over the position.
According to Amar Desh, disagreements between right-wing, centrist, and left-wing factions over who will be elected to various positions in the proposed party have caused delays in its formation. There were concerns that if the dispute over the member secretary position was not resolved, two new political parties might emerge. On February 22, Prothom Alo published a report suggesting that there was an ongoing negotiation to include former members of the Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir in the new party. Ali Ahsan Junayed refuted this claim, stating that the process of forming the political party should be transparent and democratic.

### Promotion of LGBTQ

The party faced significant backlash over the inclusion of MD Muntasir Rahman, an LGBTQ rights advocate and openly gay individual, in it's central committee. Many netizens criticised and accused for promotion of LGBTQ. Later, in a Facebook post, party's chief organiser (south) Hasnat Abdullah, highlighting his religious identity and without directly addressing Rahman's inclusion, called it an "unintentional mistake". Although no official statement was made by the party. Later, Rahman was excluded from it's 217-member convening committee following the objections from Hasnat Abdullah and Sarjis Alam.

## Student wing

A separate student organisation was planned for the new political party. It was said that the student organisation could be formed 3–5 days before the formation of the new party. However, on 17 February, former coordinators of the Students Against Discrimination, Abdul Kader and Abu Baker Mazumder, announced at a press conference held at the Madhur Canteen of Dhaka University that the student organisation would be independent of any political party. Abdul Kader, former central coordinator of the organisation, stated that upon hearing the news of the new political party, they felt the need to form a student organisation that would be able to fill the vacuum in student politics caused by the absence of the Chhatra League. According to Kader, if a political party offers or works in line with the spirit of the revolution, the student organization will support that political party. Although the student organisation is said to be independent from the new party, there are ideological similarities between the two and it is believed that the new student organisation could function as the student wing of the party. On February 26, 2025, the student organisation was launched under the name Bangladesh Ganatantrik Chhatra Sangsad (Bengali: বাংলাদেশ গণতান্ত্রিক ছাত্র সংসদ, lit. 'Bangladesh Democratic Students' Council'), with Mazumdar as the convener.