Students likely to announce new political party on 24 Feb

Student leaders, who spearheaded the mass uprising that led to the ouster of the Awami League government last year, are likely to announce the formation of a new political party on 24 February.

The announcement will be made during an event at the Central Shaheed Minar in Dhaka, according to members of Jatiya Nagorik Committee's executive body.

A preparatory committee has been formed in this regard with 70 people from the Nagorik Committee and 30 people from the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, they said.

Speaking to The Business Standard today (16 February), Nagorik Committee spokesperson Samantha Sharmin said, "We have discussed a possible date. There was a general meeting today as well. A preparatory committee in this regard is being formed and it will be announced soon."

Regarding the ongoing discussions on the new party on social media, she said, "The Nagorik Committee was formed with people of different opinions. It was a laboratory for reconciliation.

"There are differences of opinion among different groups on the formation of the new party. However, discussing those differences of opinion on Facebook shows organisational shortsightedness."

Regarding the possibility of forming two parties in this situation, Samantha said, "Everyone has the right to form a party and it is not illegal to do so. There is no reason to blame anyone for this."

"However, the people expect that there will be only one pro-uprising party to usher in a new political settlement in the country," she added.