United News of Bangladesh

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.