Non-criminal Chhatra League members can join NCP: Nahid

National Citizen Party Convener Nahid Islam speaks at a press conference at the party’s temporary central office in the capital’s Banglamotor, 19 April 2026. Photo: TBS

Leaders and activists of Bangladesh Chhatra League who were not involved in any criminal activities will be allowed to join the National Citizen Party (NCP), its convener Nahid Islam has said.

The party's doors are open to all, regardless of past political affiliation, he said at a press conference held at the party's temporary central office in the capital's Banglamotor today (19 April), organised to mark the joining of leaders and activists from various political parties and organisations into the NCP.

A total of 44 leaders from Amar Bangladesh Party (AB Party), United People's Bangladesh (UP Bangladesh), and Students Against Discrimination (SAD) have joined the NCP today.

"Whether someone was involved in Chhatra Dal, Islami Chhatra Shibir, Chhatra Odhikar Parishad or Chhatra League is not the main issue for us. From today, whoever joins NCP will work as a party activist and uphold its ideals," he added.

However, Nahid stressed that individuals accused of participating in fascism, mass killings, extortion or corruption will not be accepted into the party.

Criticising the current government, he said the reform prospects created through the consensus commission and referendum initiatives were being undermined. "Through this election, one party has simply replaced another, but there has been no structural change," he said.

The NCP chief welcomed the new entrants to the party and expressed hope that collective efforts would strengthen the NCP and bring positive change to the country.

"We have realised that working together on a single platform is the most effective path forward. Those joining today did not have different goals from ours. They may have been active on different platforms, but our objectives were the same," he said.

He added that uniting under a strong platform is now essential, especially for the youth. "As a youth-led force carrying the spirit of the July Uprising, strengthening the NCP and uniting young people is the only viable path for Bangladesh at this moment," he said.

Nahid also alleged that recent elections had undermined public opinion and democratic mandates, while extortion, corruption and violence were on the rise.

"In this context, building an alternative political force is crucial. The struggle to establish a non-discriminatory, democratic and inclusive Bangladesh that began with the mass uprising must be carried forward to completion," he added.