New youth political platform set to be unveiled on 16 January
The platform would bring together ideas from capitalist economic models, social democracy, and welfare-oriented state policies, including education and healthcare.
A new political initiative, led by young leaders of the July Uprising, is set to make its public debut.
The platform will formally be launched at Shaheed Minar next Friday (16 January), with a founding committee of 70 to 100 members, said Anik Roy, former general secretary of the Bangladesh Chhatra Union and joint convenor of the National Citizen Party (NCP).
Sources indicate that the platform, tentatively named New Political Action, also referred to as People's Action or People's March, will bring together ideas from capitalist economic models, social democracy, and welfare-oriented state policies, including education and healthcare.
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Anik Roy told The Business Standard, "Our primary struggle is a generational fight. We had hoped to pursue this through the NCP, but as it moved in a traditional direction, we decided to form a new initiative with those of us who had no established base."
Previously, participants of the July Uprising first formed the National Citizens' Committee, followed by the National Citizens' Party (NCP).
A faction of the Islami Chhatra Shibir chose not to join the NCP and instead formed a platform called UP Bangladesh.
When the NCP allied with Jamaat, around 20 leaders resigned, with several now joining the new initiative.
"Our economic vision will be inspired by the capitalist frameworks of democratic nations, ensuring the rights of capital while prioritising global social-democratic principles beyond the traditional left agenda," he explained.
Key figures involved include former Chhatra Union president Baki Billah, writer and researcher Mir Hojaifa Al Mamduh, author Ferdous Ara Rumee, former coordinator of the Students Against Discrimination Nazifa Jannat, Chhatra Union's Dhaka University branch President Meghmallar Bosu, and General Secretary Main Ahmed. A diverse group of young activists, student leaders, and followers from different religious and ethnic backgrounds are expected to join the platform.
Membership registration is scheduled to begin on the 16th of this month.
Some of the members revealed that the idea for the platform began nearly a year ago.
At one stage, the proposed name was New Political Action (Natun Rajnaitik Proyas). While three or four names were considered, none have been finalised yet. The name Janajatra has been ruled out, they added.
