Nahid, Akhter to lead National Citizen Party set to be launched tomorrow

The National Citizen Party (NCP), a new political party formed by student leaders of the July mass uprising, is set to be formally launched tomorrow afternoon (28 February) at Dhaka's Manik Mia Avenue, with the leaders aiming at establishing a democratic state based on rights and dignity.

While the names of the party and its leaders will be announced at the launch, the party's symbol and constitution will remain undisclosed. However, the party's declaration will be read aloud.

Nasiruddin Patwari, convener of Jatiya Nagorik Committee, told The Business Standard the new party will emerge aimed at building a democratic state based on rights and dignity.

"We are targeting a gathering of 3,00,000 people and have invited other political parties, prominent citizens, civil societies from across the country, and diplomats," he added.

Meanwhile, Abdul Hannan Masud, chief organiser of the Students Against Discrimination (SAD), yesterday went to the Chief Adviser's Office to invite Muhammad Yunus at the launching event. He also went to the offices of the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami to invite them.

New party roles

The party's convenership has been finalised with Nahid Islam, and the role of member secretary will be held by Akhter Hossain. Nasiruddin Patwari will serve as the chief coordinator, while Hasnat Abdullah will lead the southern region as chief organiser and Sarjis Alam will oversee the northern region as chief organiser.

Other prominent roles include Deputy Coordinator Abdul Hannan Masud, Office Secretary Saleh Uddin Sifat, and Senior Joint Convener Samantha Sharmeen. Discussions are underway regarding the senior joint secretary position, with names such as Tasnim Zara, and Nahida Sarwar in consideration.

On Thursday afternoon, a joint meeting between the two student platforms organising the launch - Jatiyo Nagorik Committee and the Students Against Discrimination (SAD) - took place at their central office in Banglamotor, Dhaka, where the decisions were made.

Regarding invitations to the new student organisation Ganatantrik Chhatra Sangsad, Patwari said all coordinators of the July mass uprising, who are leading the Student Against Discrimination are  invited.

Samantha Sharmeen told TBS that they will announce a 151-member committee. 

"Representatives from various districts and upazilas, including those from the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, will also join. The party's symbol and constitution will be disclosed later, and although the party's declaration is not finalised, it will be read at the launch," she added.

Nahid Islam and Akhter Hossain were both leaders of now-dissolved party Gonotantrik Chhatra Shakti. Nasiruddin Patwari was the person who in 2020 came to the limelight after conducting a hunger strike in front of Raju Sculpture to protest border killings. Sarjis and Hasnat were both key leaders in the July uprising.

Future of Nagorik Committee, SAD

In a press release yesterday, Sharmeen elaborated that after the formation of the political party, the Nagorik Committee will transition into a civil-political platform and will no longer pursue the formation of other parties. 

"It has been decided that, apart from the convener, member secretary, spokesperson, and chief organisers, the remaining structure - executive committee, cells, and search committees - will be dissolved," she explained. 

She further explained that membership in the Committee will be considered null for those joining the new political party, while those not joining will retain their positions.

Furthermore, the convener, member secretary, spokesperson, and chief organisers will "informally" take on their roles from 28 February for the next 15 days, during which they will define the new organisational structure with the help of three Committee members.

The release also states that members of the previous district, upazila, and professional subcommittees wishing to join the political party will be provided with details on how they can transition. 

Meanwhile, spokesperson for the Students Against Discrimination, Umama Fatema, told TBS that those joining the new student organisation and political party will resign from their current positions. 

"The student movement will continue independently, and a meeting will be held soon to determine who will take over the platform's responsibilities, with discussions about the resignation process for departing members," added Fatema.

Some coordinators have suggested that individuals such as Hasan Enam, secretary of the Special Cell on the Mass Uprising, as well as Moinul Islam from coordinator at Dhaka College and Maliha Namlah from Jahangirnagar University, are being considered for leadership roles in the future.