United News of Bangladesh

National Citizens Party (NCP) convener Nahid Islam on Saturday demanded justice for the killings during the July-August uprising before any national election is held. Addressing a rally organised by the party’s Bogura district unit at Satmatha Zero Point, Nahid said over 15 people were killed and more than 700 injured during the uprising. "For the last 17 years, Bogura has been a victim of the fascist government's political discrimination. People from Bogura were denied jobs just for their identity. Hundreds of false and fabricated cases were filed against them," he said. Earlier in the day, NCP leaders exchanged views with the families of those killed in the July movement at Bogura Tourism Motel. Election without cleansing ‘stinking past’ amounts to killing democracy: Jamaat Ameer Following the meeting, Nahid Islam led a four-kilometre-long march from Koloni area to Satmatha, with a large number of students and locals participating in it. Among others, NCP Central Member-Secretary Akhter Hossain, Chief Organiser (Southern Region) Hasnat Abdullah, Chief Organiser (Northern Region) Sarjis Alam, central leaders Nasir Uddin Patwary, and Dr Tasnim Jara addressed the rally.

Chief Coordinator of National Citizen Party (NCP) Nasiruddin Patwary on Saturday said that Bangladeshi people witnessed revolution against bullets, now they will see a revolution on the ballot papers in the next national election. He said this while speaking at a discussion meeting and prize awarding ceremony on the occasion of ‘International MSME Day 2025’, held at the auditorium of Diploma Engineers’ Association in Kakrail, Dhaka. He said the past Awami League government established a syndicate amongst their politically linked people to provide bank loans and other facilities of MSME sectors. As a result, general Micro, Small, and Medium Entrepreneurs (MSMEs) were deprived of their legal right of doing smooth businesses. But now that rule will not be longer, the National MSME Association has been formed to create equal opportunities for expanding business, he pointed out. Nasiruddin Patwary said that the days to rule the country by setting up any kind of syndicate in the banking sector, stock market, MSMEs, export-import and any other sector, are over. Rather educated youth will establish innovative and tech-based business models under different universities of Bangladesh, where merit will be given priority. CPB warns of tough movement if port leased, corridor granted to foreigners Through these activities, discrimination free Bangladesh would be established for all citizens, he said. Dr. Tasnim Jara, Senior Joint Member Secretary of NCP, said that there is no option to go back again. A social movement has to be established for creating entrepreneurship. So that an entrepreneur garners honour in the society for their family. Chief coordinator Sarjis Alam said that 10 lakh entrepreneurs will be created among the educated youth in the next two years in the country to empower youths. He said the NCP encouraged both male and female youths to come forward to establish themselves as entrepreneurs. The National MSME Association will guide them and provide all out support for establishing business and its knowledge. He also emphasizes to revise curriculum at the intermediate level to give knowledge among youths how to become entrepreneurs. “Social respect, acknowledgement in family, even in state, will increase support for youth to become entrepreneurs,” he pointed out. NCP leaders Akram Hossain, and Advocate Humayra Nur among others, spoke in the event. The National MSME Association gave prizes to the innovative youth entrepreneurs at the end of the event.

Emphasising the need for financial transparency to reform the country’s overall political culture, Convener of the National Citizen Party (NCP) Nahid Islam on Wednesday urged all political parties to adopt clear financial policies and called on the Election Commission to enforce stricter regulations. Speaking at a press conference held at the party’s temporary central office at Rupayan Tower in the capital, the NCP leader announced the party’s financial policy and launched a crowdfunding campaign aimed at encouraging public participation in politics. "Financial transparency and accountability must be ensured in our political culture. This is a core principle of the National Citizen Party. However, one party alone cannot change the entire political landscape. All parties must come forward and embrace financial transparency if we are to see qualitative improvement in Bangladesh’s political culture,” he said. BNP unveils 180-day economic action plan ahead of national election He went on to say, "The Election Commission also has to be firm. During elections, misuse of money and muscle power becomes common. If the EC frames strong laws and ensures their strict implementation, we believe positive changes will come." Highlighting NCP’s grassroots foundation, he said, “We have emerged from the people’s movement. If people do not support us, we cannot survive politically or morally. Our goal is to earn public trust and support—crowdfunding is our way of doing that.” Nahid Islam urged supporters not to provide funds to any individual, saying, “We have established a centralized financial system. All our bank and mobile accounts are in the party’s name. No one should send money to any personal or unofficial accounts. NCP does not believe in such practices.” He reiterated the party’s commitment to honesty, transparency and accountability, adding, “We will publish full disclosure of our expenditures so that the public knows exactly where their money is being spent.”

NCP chief coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary on Wednesday criticised three advisers – Dr Asif Nazrul, Dr Salehuddin Ahmed and Dr Wahiduddin Mahmud --claiming that they are ‘BNP spokespersons’. If the reform recommendations are not implemented, the advisers who are ‘BNP spokespeople’ will be forced to resign, he said while addressing a demonstration organised by the NCP. The National Citizen Party-NCP staged the demonstration in front of Nirbachan Bhaban demanding reconstitution of the Election Commission and immediate arrangement of local government body elections. The NCP chief coordinator said, "Wahiduddin Bhai (adviser) is working to sink education in Bangladesh, Salehuddin Bhai (adviser) is working to sink the financial sector of the country. Asif Nazrul is working to sink the Law Ministry. Then we will force them to resign through launching a programme." Referring to the ban on Awami League’s activities, he said, “We demanded that the Awami League be banned, and it was banned. But the Awami League’s election commission and constitution were not banned.” Noting that Adviser Asif Nazrul had betrayed students and people, Nasiruddin said “Asif Nazrul once gave a false assurance that the July Declaration would be made, but didn’t. He betrayed...” “If this time there would be any change of words, I don’t know whether Asif Nazrul will remain in Bangladesh,” he said. The NCP chief coordinator said they are waiting for the July declaration. “We are waiting for the declaration, then the EC will be reconstituted, local elections and the constituent assembly election will be held and we will get a beautiful Bangladesh,” he said concluding their demonstration rally. Show-cause notice issued to NCP’s Hannan for releasing 3 from police custody The NCP chief coordinator said the current election commission was constituted in line with the 2022 law which was enacted during the authoritarian regime amid objection from various political parties including BNP. “This commission is a constitutional body, but it is playing the spokesperson role of a party instead of maintaining that (constitutional) position, which is shameful for the country,” he said. The NCP leader suggested the Election Commission arrange the local body elections first to test its fitness. "Local elections must be held before the national election. There will be no national election before the local elections," he added. The NCP Dhaka city unit arranged the demonstrations against the AMM Nasir Uddin-led current Election Commission. The demonstration began at 12:0pm and continued till 2:15pm in the city's Agargaon area. The NCP leaders alleged that this Commission was constituted hastily before the reform initiatives were implemented. This Commission has already lost its neutrality, they claimed. Pointing at the BNP, these NCP leaders asked the party to test its popularity through the local body elections before going for the National Election.

BNP Chairperson’s Advisory Council member Zainul Abedin Farroque on Wednesday said the National Citizens Party (NCP), formed by students from the Anti-Discrimination Movement, is creating chaos to delay the national election. “The people of the country ousted the fascist Sheikh Hasina by making the movement a success, paving the way for a national election. But, the new party (NCP) is now trying to create chaos to delay the election... people have started saying this,” he told a civic rally. Ganatantra Forum organised the rally in front of the Jatiya Press Club to protest against widespread violence against women, oppression, rape, online harassment, the deterioration of law and order and the lack of justice. Farroque, a former opposition chief whip in parliament, called upon the government to announce a clear roadmap for the national election. “If the government delays the election under the pretext of reforms, the ghosts of the Awami League will inevitably try to reemerge,” he warned. Focus on solving public issues, not just reforms: Tarique to political parties  The BNP leader said the government will surely carry out reforms, but it should also declare the election roadmap to prevent those plotting against the country and its people. He said the NCP has demanded simultaneous holding of both the constituent assembly and parliamentary elections. “I would like to tell the government that I don’t understand the constituent assembly. I understand only one thing that I had 84 cases against me, and I was in jail for nine years out of 16. As a political activist and freedom fighter, I urge Prof Dr Muhammad Yunus to organise a neutral national election, not a constituent assembly, in line with people’s aspirations,” the BNP leader said. Farroque also said the political parties which had carried out the movement against fascist Sheikh Hasina would form a national government through a credible national election and implement reform proposals after discussions in parliament. He said the people of the country have entrusted Dr Yunus with the responsibility of restoring their voting rights by organising the election. “So, the demand of people and political parties that fought in the movement under the leadership of Tarique Rahman is to hold an election swiftly.” The BNP leader said a government formed by elected public representatives would be able to put the fascists on trial and expose their wrongdoings. “We urge the government to organise the election without further delay, allowing the people to exercise their right to vote.”

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.

Jatiya Nagorik Party (NCP) on Friday demanded the visible trial proceedings of the July killings and implementation of the July reform charter before holding the national election. “But before going to any election, we have been saying over and over again – we want to see the visible trial proceedings of killings and implementation of the July Charter of reforms. Then we will have to move towards the election,” said NCP Convener Nahid Islam at a press conference in the city. Fight for ‘constituent assembly’ election to establish ‘second republic’: Nahid Replying to a question, he said it does not seem to him that it is impossible to hold the national election in December. It will depend mainly on political will and political consensus to hold the constituent assembly election and the national election together, he added. “If we can reach that consensus, then it is actually possible to hold the constituent assembly and national parliament elections together within the desired timeframe,” said Nahid. The press conference was arranged following the first general meeting of the NCP central committee at Rupayan Tower in the city’s Bangla Motor area. About his interview with Reuters, Nahid there were some misquotations and wrong translations.  “About the current situation, I didn't say it exactly like that it is not possible to hold an election this year. I said it would be much more difficult to hold an election in the current deteriorated law and order situation,” he said. He claimed that he told Reuters that the current police administration has no experience in conducting fair elections as their capabilities have not been tested for a long time. And so, the law-and-order situation must be improved before the elections. NCP leaders vow to rebuild Bangladesh with July spirit “NCP has the mentality and preparation for the election,” said Nahid Islam. The NCP chief also noted that he told the Reuters that the well-off people and well-wishers from the society are providing financial support to them. “We are moving towards crowdfunding with both online and offline focuses. We will raise election and office establishment funds through crowdfunding. But it has been translated incorrectly in various media outlets in the country,” he said, requesting the media outlets to correct those. Women’s Safety Expressing grave concerns over the recent violence against women in different parts of the country, Nahid urged the interim government to take a strict stance to ensure women's safety in public spaces and bring the perpetrators to justice soon. He said they strongly condemn and protest against all the incidents of violence taking place against women. “We strongly condemn and protest against all those incidents. And on behalf of the NCP, we express concern over this existing situation,” he said. Earlier, NCP Member Secretary Akhter Hossen said the NCP will arrange an iftar mahfil at the historic Suhrawardy Udyan in the city on March 10 for the martyrs’ families and injured persons during the 2024 July-August movement. Nahid discloses bank account details post-resignation  The new party will also host an iftar party for leaders of the political parties, civil society members, businessmen and noted personalities on March 11 next. NCP central leaders, including its chief organiser for the southern region Hasnat Abdullah, chief organiser for the northern region Sarjis Alam and chief coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary, were present. On Friday last, NCP was officially launched as a new political platform floated by student activists of the July Movement.