United News of Bangladesh

The National Citizen Party (NCP) on Saturday called for a radical overhaul of the state structure through comprehensive reforms, aiming to fulfil the aspirations of the July mass uprising and prevent the re-emergence of fascism or autocratic tendencies in future governments. “By reform, we mean fundamental reform and the reforms which will bring a radical change and a qualitative change in the structure of the state,” said NCP Convener Nahid Islam. He made the remarks at his opening speech at the talks with the National Consensus Commission at the LD Hall of the Jatiya Sangsad Complex. An eight-member NCP delegation led by Nahid Islam attended the dialogue at 10:30am with Vice Chairman of the Consensus Commission Prof Ali Riaz in the chair. The National Consensus Commission arranged the talks as part of a series of dialogues with political parties to reach a national consensus over the state reform initiatives taken by the interim government. Nahid Islam said different state institutions, including the Constitution, were politicised in the past. The seed of one person-centric structure was sown in the Constitution, he said. “As a result, no matter who comes to power, no matter who is given the responsibility of running the state, if the state structure is kept unchanged, there will be a tendency among them to become fascist and autocratic,” he said. The NCP Convener said the July mass uprising did not happen not just for the change of an individual.  “There was no plan to remove one party from power and install another. Rather, there was an aspiration in  the July Mass Uprising to establish a democratic state system that would protect the rights of people through fundamental and qualitative reforms of the state structure by bringing qualitative changes to the state,” he said. NCP delegation led by Nahid joins talks with Consensus Commission He said the aspirations that led people to take to the streets in the past, including the 1990 mass uprising, have failed. “That failure led to the creation of a fascist regime that lasted for 16 years,” he added. Noting that the aspirations of the July Mass Uprising should no way be failed, Nahid said, “We must fulfill the desire that has been created among the people - this is commitment of all of us to the nation,” he said. In the case of fundamental reforms of the State, the National Citizen Party, are giving special importance to the issues like the constitution, the Prime Minister, the judicial system and the electoral system, he added. “We all have to make that commitment before the nation to ensure another autocratic system, fascism will not come to Bangladesh and we will move forward by closing all its paths. And we will work from our respective places to create a democratic constitution, a democratic state structure,” said the NCP chief. Peace won't return to Myanmar keeping Rohingya issue unresolved: Dhaka tells Washington Earlier, on March 24, NCP submitted its written opinions over the reform recommendations to the National Consensus Commission. Out of the 166 reform recommendations made by the Consensus Commission, the NCP agreed to 113 recommendations and agreed partially to 29 others. On March 20 last, the National Consensus Commission opened its dialogues with political parties aiming to build a national consensus on the reform initiatives undertaken by the interim government. The commission has already held talks with 12 political parties. The commission formed under the leadership of Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus aims to establish a unified stance on critical reforms. Since its inception on February 15, 2025, the commission has been working to finalise recommendations for the state reform proposals. In the initial phase, key recommendations from five reform commissions — covering constitutional, public administration, electoral system, judiciary, and anti-corruption reforms — were compiled and shared with 39 political parties for their feedback. To date, 34 parties have responded. The National Consensus Commission is working to build national consensus over reform initiatives by mid-July next, by completing the first round of talks with political parties by the first week of May next and entering the second round of talks in the second week of May.

The National Citizen Party (NCP) joined talks with the National Consensus Commission on Saturday morning. An eight-member NCP delegation led by its Convener Nahid Islam attended the dialogue started at 10:30am with Vice Chairman of the Consensus Commission Prof Ali Riaz in the chair at the Jatiya Sangsad Complex. The National Consensus Commission arranged the talks as part of a series of dialogues with political parties to reach a national consensus over the state reform initiatives taken by the interim government. Earlier on March 24, NCP submitted its written opinions over the reform recommendations to the National Consensus Commission. NCP to attend talks with Consensus Commission Saturday Out of the 166 reform recommendations made by the Consensus Commission, the NCP agreed to 113 recommendations and agreed partially to 29 others. On March 20 last, the National Consensus Commission opened its dialogues with political parties aiming to build a national consensus on the reform initiatives undertaken by the interim government. The commission has already held talks with 12 political parties. The commission formed under the leadership of Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus aims to establish a unified stance on critical reforms. Since its inception on February 15, 2025, the commission has been working to finalise recommendations for the state reform proposals.In the initial phase, key recommendations from five reform commissions — covering constitutional, public administration, electoral system, judiciary, and anti-corruption reforms — were compiled and shared with 39 political parties for their feedback. To date, 34 parties have responded. The National Consensus Commission is working to build national consensus over reform initiatives by mid-July next, by completing the first round of talks with political parties by the first week of May next and entering the second round of talks in the second week of May.  

The National Consensus Commission is set to hold talks with the National Citizen Party (NCP) on Saturday morning as part of the series of dialogues with political parties to reach a national consensus over the state reform initiatives taken by the interim government. The discussion will start at 10:30am at the LD Hall of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban in the capital, said Public Relation Officer of the Consensus Commission Paban Chowdhury on Friday. Earlier on March 24, NCP submitted its written opinions over the reform recommendations to the National Consensus Commission. Out of the 166 reform recommendations made by the Consensus Commission, the NCP agreed to 113 recommendations and agreed partially to 29 others. On March 20 last, the National Consensus Commission opened its dialogues with political parties aiming to build a national consensus on the reform initiatives undertaken by the interim government. The commission has already held talks with 12 political parties. The National Consensus Commission, formed under the leadership of Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, aims to establish a unified stance on critical reforms. Since its inception on February 15, 2025, the commission has been working to finalise recommendations for the state reform proposals. Rizvi questions reforms over elections, suspects ‘hidden agenda’ In the initial phase, key recommendations from five reform commissions — covering constitutional, public administration, electoral system, judiciary, and anti-corruption reforms — were compiled and shared with 39 political parties for their feedback. To date, 34 parties have responded. The National Consensus Commission is working to build national consensus over reform initiatives by mid-July next, by completing the first round of talks with political parties by the first week of May next and entering the second round of talks in the second week of May.

National Citizens Party (NCP)’s Southern Region Chief Organiser Hasnat Abdullah on Tuesday warned against branding his party’s firm anti-Awami League stance as a “breach of decorum.” In a post from his verified Facebook account, Hasnat wrote: “The day our anti-Awami League position and rejection of compromise politics began to be called ‘indecorous’ was the day Awami League processions started growing bigger.” Targeting those he accused of indulging in compromise politics, he said, “I’m warning those who are compromising—make up your mind about the Awami League very soon. Otherwise, you will continue with your compromise politics, and I will respond with indecorous behaviour.” BNP’s Salahuddin calls for preservation of Pahela Baishakh as national cultural heritage He added: “You won’t be able to handle it if I start breaching decorum. Be careful.” His statement came just hours after a video of an Awami League protest march went viral on Facebook. According to several posts by AL supporters, the march took place in Dhaka’s Badda area, reportedly led by a former Chhatra League leader. Hasnat, however, did not clarify whom he was directly referring to in his comments or who he considers to be engaged in compromise politics.

Dhaka Metropolitan unit of the National Citizen Party (NCP) staged a protest rally on Saturday afternoon demanding the cancellation of Awami League’s registration and its trial. Party leaders and activists gathered in front of the National Museum at Shahbagh at 3 pm, chanting slogans. NCP member secretary Akhter Hossen, chief organiser for the southern region Hasnat Abdullah, were also present. The protest aims to call for the trial of Sheikh Hasina and the Awami League over allegations of enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and genocide, along with the cancellation of the party’s registration and a ban on its political and organisational activities. Ban Awami League in 48 hours: ‘July Warriors’ Meanwhile, "July Warriors", a forum formed by the families of the martyrs and injured victims of the July uprising, on Saturday gave the interim government 48 hours to ban Awami League. They issued the ultimatum from a protest rally held at the Raju Sharok Bhaskarjya on the Dhaka University campus. Several organisations and students from Dhaka University also staged a rally on Saturday, demanding a ban on the Awami League.

National Citizen Party (NCP) on Friday vowed to resist any attempt to rehabilitate Awami League in Bangladesh politics. “Awami League's registration must be cancelled during the trial proceedings and the NCP is vowing to resist any attempt to bring this mafia group back into politics,” NCP Convener Nahid Islam told a press conference in the city. He said NCP wants to guarantee for the trial of the July massacre as well as all other mass killings and crimes against humanity committed by the fascist past regime. The NCP chief condemned the Chief Adviser’s recent remark over Awami League.  “The chief adviser of the interim government has recently made a statement saying the government has no plan to ban the Awami League. We condemn their statement," he said. NCP member secretary Akhter Hossen and chief organiser for the southern region Hasnat Abdullah also spoke on the occasion. Nahid said all parties concerned should remember that Awami League is not a democratic political party, it is a fascist party. Awami League was not defeated through votes in the election. Awami League as a party has committed genocide in Bangladesh through organisational decisions, he added. He said the Awami League fascist regime has been overthrown from Bangladesh through an unprecedented student-people uprising in Bangladesh history. "Genocidal Awami League Ban Movement" announced “So, Awami League is now outside the democratic framework. NCP firmly rejects any kind of discussion and proposal to allow Awami League to participate in the elections while the trial is pending,” said the NCP Convener. Nahid said the people of Bangladesh have given their final decision against the Awami ideology, party and (electoral) symbol on July 36 (in 2024). “So, the Awami League as a party and its ideology have lost all the rights to do politics in Bangladesh,” he said. During the trial of the Awami League for genocide and crimes against humanity, the political activities of the Awami League and all people and organisations allied with fascism must be banned, said Nahid. He said the National Citizens Party-NCP calls upon all the political parties and sections that are against fascism to take a united decision regarding the Awami League through the July Charter to be declared on the basis of a political consensus. About Army & Others Nahid said if a political party can carry out activities or participate in elections is a completely political decision. The government, existing political parties and the people have the authority to make the decision in this regard, he said. Nahid said the army or any state institution has no authority to comment, plan or give proposals or decisions on this matter. Such practices should not happen in Bangladesh. Political decisions will be taken by political circles, he added. NCP member secretary Akhter Hossen said the NCP would like to express a firm stance against various conspiracies being hatched in home and abroad to rehabilitate the Awami League. DU students again demonstrate demanding AL ban He said the demonstration programmes under the NCP’s leadership with participation of its supporters and well-wishers would continue across the country demanding the trial of Awami League and cancellation of AL’s registration. Akhter said the Awami League is the biggest barrier in the aspiration that was dreamt by the people on August 05, 2024 to build a new Bangladesh. “All the leaders, well-wishers and supporters of the National Citizens Party (NCP) are ready to be present on the streets so that no fascist force can be rehabilitated in Bangladesh in any way,” he said. NCP chief organiser for the northern region Sarjis Alam, chief coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary and senior joint member secretary Tasnim Jara, among others, were present.

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.”

BNP Vice Chairman Barkat Ullah Bulu on Tuesday described the National Citizen Party (NCP) as a "King’s Party" and slammed its leaders for their questionable the financial dealings. “A student who used to live in a hall before August 5 and who relied on tuition for a living, has suddenly become the owner of vast sum of money… They now drive cars worth three to five crore taka…this is an alarming sign for the nation,” he told a discussion. The event was organised by Bhashani Smriti Sangsad and the Mashiur Rahman Jadu Mia Death Anniversary Celebration Committee at the Jatiya Press Club to mark the 46th death anniversary of public leader Mashiur Rahman Jadu Mia. BNP-JCD clash over extortion in Sunamganj leaves pedestrian dead Barkat Ullah Bulu strongly criticised the launching programme of the National Citizen Party (NCP), accusing it of bringing people from across the country with the government backing and using the administration. “People are saying this is a King’s Party.” He alleged that student leaders involved in the Anti-Discrimination Movement had previously engaged in politics secretly through Chhatra Shibir. “They have now formed a party after operating in secrecy. Suddenly, they declare that they want to return to the pre-1947 state, as they do not recognise 1971,” Bulu said. He said those who do not accept 1971 or 1952 also do not recognise martyred President Ziaur Rahman either. BNP’s Salahuddin seeks stricter measures against violence on women, children “1971 is the main pillar of our independence, our foundation. We achieved Bangladesh in exchange for the blood of 30 lakh martyrs. Those who reject 1971, in my view, have no right to seek votes from the people of this country; nor do they have the qualifications or the right to stand as candidates in elections,” the BNP leader said. He said Bangladesh was created through the Liberation War to establish democracy and uphold people's rights. Bulu urged the interim government to take steps to restore democracy by holding credible an election. He also warned that delaying the elections could lead to the resurgence of fallen fascist forces. “If any untoward incident occurs in the country due to the delay in the election, the interim government will be held responsible.”   The BNP leader expressed deep concern over the deteriorating law and order situation. “The country cannot function like this. What is happening every day? You can see it. In the name of mob justice, people's homes are being attacked, their properties looted, and individuals are being killed.” He also said the country’s people are facing immense hardship due to the soaring prices of essential commodities. “To change this situation, the country needs a democratic and elected government. The interim government does not have the mandate to carry out so many tasks. I firmly believe that the sooner elections are held, the sooner peace and order will be restored in the country,” Bulu said.