Jatiya Sangsad, constituent assembly elections can be held simultaneously: NCP's Nahid

The Constituent Assembly elections can be held together with the Jatiya Sangsad election, the National Citizen Party said today (4 March).

The party, led by its Convener Nahid Islam, has been demanding the Constituent Assembly election to formulate a new constitution to establish a 'Second Republic'.

Speaking to reporters after paying respect to the graves of the students and public who were martyred during the July uprising in Rayer Bazar, Nahid said, "A new constitution through the Constituent Assembly elections will help us transition to a truly democratic process. The Constituent Assembly elections and the Jatiya Sangsad elections can be held simultaneously. Only through this will it be possible to build a new structure and a new Bangladesh."

Earlier on the day, the NCP paid tribute to the martyrs of the Liberation War at the National Memorial in Savar as part of the first programme of the party, four days after formal launching, .

Speaking to reporters there, he said a new constitution as well as a constituent assembly election is needed for a second republic.

On the occasion of the official launch of the National Citizens' Party (NCP), the party's Convener Nahid Islam extended his greetings to the people of the country. He stated that the struggles of the people in this land—from the partition of 1947 to the great Liberation War of 1971 and the mass uprising of students and citizens in 2024—reflect the aspirations that NCP seeks to uphold in building a new Bangladesh. He emphasised that the party is working towards this goal.

He further stated that although the country gained independence through the Liberation War of 1971, its sovereignty has repeatedly been threatened. Democratic institutions have collapsed multiple times, and the country has failed to establish a truly democratic constitution. Instead, a one-party constitution was imposed, sowing the seeds of fascism and authoritarianism. Hence, NCP advocates for the establishment of a "Second Republic," which requires a new constitution and a Constituent Assembly election.

Regarding the party's immediate objectives, he mentioned that the first priority is organisational expansion, particularly at the grassroots level. NCP aims to fulfill the necessary conditions for party registration as soon as possible and plans to begin work on democratic goals within this month.

He asserted that a new Bangladesh cannot be built while retaining the old constitution and governance structure. Simply changing the government will not bring true welfare to the people. Instead, the governance framework and constitutional structure must be reformed. He emphasised that the sacrifices made by students and citizens in the 2024 uprising should lead not only to a change in government but also to constitutional transformation, ensuring genuine democracy, justice, and equality.

Calling on the interim government to ensure justice for those involved in past killings and oppression over the last 15 years, Nahid Islam stated that the perpetrators of the mass killings during the uprising must be held accountable. He demanded that the political fate of the Awami League be decided through judicial proceedings in Bangladesh. He reiterated the commitment made during the uprising that those responsible for these atrocities must face justice, as the people of Bangladesh demand it. Following justice, the country should move towards reforms through national dialogue with the National Consensus Commission, leading to the implementation of the July Charter and Declaration.

NCP's Member Secretary Akhter Hossain sought blessings from the people, reaffirming the party's commitment to the ideals for which millions sacrificed their lives in 1971—equality and social justice. He lamented that these ideals have remained unfulfilled for the past 54 years and pledged that NCP members would work tirelessly to achieve them.

He also shared the party's vision, which includes making Bangladesh a proud and influential nation on the global stage and positioning Dhaka as the leading city of the Global South.

Highlighting the relevance of a new constitution in the current context, he reiterated that NCP believes in the necessity of a new constitutional framework. The party has proposed that those elected through the Constituent Assembly election should also serve as members of parliament. He assured that NCP would rapidly expand its activities across all districts and sub-districts in the country.

National Citizen Party at the National Memorial on 4 March 2025. Photo: TBS

Earlier, on the afternoon of 28 February, the National Citizen Party officially launched its journey as a new political party through a huge rally at Manik Mia Avenue in the capital.