National Citizen Party Emerges from Student-Led Uprising to Reshape Bangladesh's Political Landscape

 

The National Citizen Party (NCP)—known in Bengali as Jatiya Nagorik Party—was officially established on February 28, 2025, marking a significant shift in Bangladesh's political landscape. Emerging from the momentum of the July 2024 uprising, which led to the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the NCP represents the nation's first major student-led political movement .

Origins and Formation

The NCP's inception is deeply rooted in the Students Against Discrimination (SAD) movement, which played a pivotal role in the July 2024 protests against systemic inequities and authoritarian governance. Following the uprising, the Jatiya Nagorik Committee (JNC) was formed in September 2024 to chart a path forward for political reform. By December, plans were underway to establish a new political entity, culminating in the NCP's launch in February 2025 .

The party's leadership includes Nahid Islam as the founding convener, who previously served as an adviser in the interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus. Other key figures are Akhter Hossain (Member Secretary) and Nasiruddin Patwary (Chief Coordinator) .

Ideology and Objectives

The NCP advocates for:

• A new democratic constitution to replace the existing system.

• Ending the two-party dominance of the Awami League and Bangladesh Nationalist Party.

• Youth-led governance emphasizing citizen participation.

• Transparent policies for economic and social reforms .

Their vision includes building a "Second Republic" that ensures justice, equality, and democratic freedoms for all citizens.

Organizational Structure

The NCP has established a 217-member central convening committee with a one-year term to guide the party's activities . The party's headquarters is temporarily located at the Rupayan Trade Center in Dhaka .