United News of Bangladesh

Convener of the National Citizens' Party (NCP) Nahid Islam on Tuesday said it is possible to simultaneously hold both the legislative and constituent assembly elections in the country. “Along with dismantling fascism through national unity, the move (simultaneous elections) would pave the way for drafting a new constitution,” he said while speaking at an Iftar party at a hotel in the capital arranged in honour of anti-fascist politicians, student and labour leaders, professionals, activists, Islamic scholars and prominent citizens on Tuesday. Outlining his party’s vision for a reformed political structure, Nahid said, "We may have differences in opinions, engage in debates, or hold ideological disagreements. However, these should not disrupt democratic relationships, dialogue, and mutual interaction." Referring to ongoing conspiracies against Bangladesh, he asserted that the country remains at risk. "Even if there are ideological differences, it is imperative to maintain unity in resisting conspirators. NCP seeks a qualitative and fundamental transformation of the governance structure in Bangladesh. That is why we are advocating for a new republic through a new constitution," he added. NCP demands trial of July killings before elections About the necessity of a new political settlement in Bangladesh, Nahid said holding both legislative and constituent assembly elections simultaneously would ensure the introduction of a new constitution while facilitating a fresh democratic journey. According to him, these crucial tasks can be accomplished within the timeframe set by the government for reforms and elections. "Alongside constitutional reforms, proposals for administrative and police reforms should be implemented through interim government ordinances," he suggested. Discussing election security, Nahid said that law and order must improve before the polls. "The government alone cannot ensure security. A collective effort is required. The neutrality of the police, military and media during the election is crucial," he said. The NCP convener also called for a radical shift in political culture, rejecting outdated practices, and emphasised the need for swift justice for the July massacre and insisted that its resolution would play a pivotal role in determining the future of the Awami League in national politics.

Convener of Jatiya Nagorik Party Nahid Islam on Friday said one of their new political party’s primary goals is to formulate a new constitution through a ‘constituent assembly’ election to establish the ‘second republic’ in Bangladesh. “We must eliminate all possibilities of reestablishing constitutional dictatorship by formulating a new democratic constitution. One of our primary goals is to formulate a new constitution through the election of a constituent assembly to establish our second republic,” he said at the launch event of the new party. Nahid was addressing the event, immediately after the announcement of a partial central committee of the new party at Manik Miah Avenue in the capital on Friday evening. He said Jatiya Nagorik Party will be a democratic, egalitarian and people-representing political party. “We believe that the July 2024 student-people uprising has initiated the struggle to establish our second republic,"  he  said. Nahid said Bangladesh can never be divided anymore. “There will be no room for pro-India or pro-Pakistan politics in Bangladesh. We all will build politics and the state unitedly, keeping Bangladesh and the interests of its people in mind,” Nahid added. He said students and people ousted a fascist government that had been in power for a decade and a half by making an immense sacrifice during an unprecedented mass uprising in July 2024. Jatiya Nagorik Party led by Nahid Islam launched “But we must remember - this new freedom, achieved through the sacrifices of thousands of martyrs, did not happen simply to overthrow one government and bring another one in power,” he said. He said people responded to this uprising with a new political aspiration to abolish the fascist system rooted in every sector of the state and establish a state based on the rights and dignity of the people. “With that goal in mind, we are announcing the formation of Jatiya Nagorik Party-NCP,” said Nahid. In the second republic, a strong defense system will be built to protect national interests. Their political priority will be to rebuild the collapsed political, social, economic and cultural institutions, and ensure their democratic character. Only through this, a fully democratic state can emerge, he said. “We want to develop a political culture where unity instead of division, justice in place of revenge, and merit and competence in lieu of dynasticism at all levels of the society and the state. There will be no place for corruption and nepotism in our politics,” he said. In the second republic, the voices of socially disadvantaged groups will be brought into the mainstream and every citizen of the state will be given equal importance and maximum security, said Nahid. He expressed determination to establish a society based on justice and equality. “We firmly believe that the July 2024 mass uprising is not only a victory against a fascist regime, it is also a pledge to build our future,” he added. BNP delegation joins Jatiya Nagorik Party’s launch event “Let us join hands and build a Bangladesh where the voice of every citizen will be heard, the establishment of justice and the struggle for human rights will be the main goals of politics, equality and human dignity will be the foundation of the state. Now this is time to see a new dream, start a new journey and build a new Bangladesh,” he said. He said the dream to establish the second republic is not an elusive dream, rather it should be a promise for future Bangladesh. Nahid chanted slogans 'Inquilab-Zindabad,’ Khomata na Janata,’ ‘Aposh na Songram’ and ‘Dalali na Rajpath’ to conclude his speech.