National Citizen Party expands convening committee to 217 members for one year

The 217-member central convening committee of the National Citizen Party has been approved for a one-year term, according to a notification issued by the party's member secretary, Akhtar Hossain, early today (2 March).

The convening committee will be responsible for drafting the party's constitution and manifesto, implementing its programmes, and expanding its organisational activities over the next year.

The newly launched political party formed by students previously announced a 151-member committee with Nahid Islam as the convener on the day of its launch on 28 February.

Today's notice of the approved convening committee stated that in 2024, Bangladesh was freed from a fascist regime through an unprecedented student-led uprising. However, the core demand of the movement, declared at Shaheed Minar—the abolition of the fascist system and the establishment of a new political settlement—has yet to be fulfilled.

Referring to historical struggles, the statement highlighted that the people of this region have long fought for political, social, and economic liberation. It noted that as part of the anti-colonial struggle spanning nearly 200 years, independence was first achieved through the Pakistan movement in 1947. However, the Pakistani state failed to meet the aspirations of the region's people.

The notice further stated that the desire for true liberation led to Bangladesh's independence from Pakistan in 1971 after a bloody war. "However, the post-independence state structure, built on the Mujibist constitution of 1972, facilitated the rise of undemocratic, autocratic, and eventually fascist rule. As a result, citizens have endured Baksal, autocracy, and fascism at different points in history," the statement reads.

"In response to this, students and the people of Bangladesh, under the leadership of the anti-discrimination student movement and the initiative of the Jatiya Nagorik Committee, announced the formation of the National Citizen Party on 28 February at Manik Mia Avenue in Dhaka. The party aims to eliminate all elements of fascism from the state structure and establish a new political settlement to fulfil the aspirations of the people."

​​​​​​On 28 February, a new political force emerged in Bangladesh with the launch of the National Citizen Party, with its leaders calling for a Constituent Assembly election, aiming to draft a new constitution that will form the foundation of a second republic.

Mim Akter, sister of July martyr Ismail Hossain Rabbi, announced the party's name at a formal event at Manik Mia Avenue near the Jatiya Sangsad in Dhaka. She also announced the name of Nahid Islam, a key coordinator of Students Against Discrimination (SAD) and a former adviser of the interim government, as the convener of the NCP and Akhtar Hossain as the member secretary.

While reading the party's declaration, Nahid Islam, convener of the NCP, said the dream of building a second republic in Bangladesh is no longer an elusive one.

"Now is the time to dream of a new future and stand united to build the Bangladesh we desire. We must move forward with unwavering determination in our fight to establish the second republic," he said.

Later, Akhtar formally introduced the key NCP leaders and their roles within the party's convening committee. A press release was issued naming 151 committee members. 

However, the party's symbol and constitution were not disclosed at the event.