United News of Bangladesh

The National Citizen Party (NCP) on Sunday announced its first batch of 100 candidates for upcoming local government elections, covering upazila and municipalities across the country. The names were unveiled by NCP Chief Organiser (Northern Region) Sarjis Alam at a press conference held at the party's temporary office at Banglamotor. Sarjis said over 1,000 applications had been submitted to the party for local government seats, from which the initial 100 were selected. "We will announce another 100 candidates in the second phase on May 20. This nomination process will continue.” He said candidates will be drawn not only from party ranks but also from other political parties, provided they meet certain criteria. “Applicants must be hardworking, acceptable to people, free from any history of oppression, having no direct involvement with the previous fascist government or crimes associated with it.” “We will do a thorough vetting process, and if anyone from another political party wishes to join, we will make every effort to give them the opportunity,” Sarjis said. He added that the candidate selection process has been designed to ensure broad social representation, with students, workers, women and members of the Hindu community all given the opportunity to contest under the NCP banner.

National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam on Saturday accused the government of betraying the aspirations of the 2024 July Revolution, demanding immediate implementation of constitutional reforms endorsed by the people through a referendum. Speaking as chief guest at a dialogue titled 'Reform Deadlock: Way Forward,' organised by the NCP Reform Committee at a city hotel, Nahid said the revolution was a historic rejection of authoritarianism that called for structural transformation, not cosmetic change. “The 2024 revolution was a historic rejection of authoritarianism. The people of Bangladesh demanded not cosmetic reform, but structural transformation,” he said. Referring to the referendum on the July Charter and 48 reform proposals, he said the people overwhelmingly approved both the reforms and the formation of a Constitutional Reform Council mandated to implement them within 180 working days. Nahid, who also serves as Opposition Chief Whip in parliament, levelled sharp criticism at the BNP-led government, alleging it had reneged on pre-election commitments. “Before the election, BNP leaders, including the current Prime Minister, publicly supported the referendum framework. Yet after assuming office, the government refused to form the Constitutional Reform Council.” He further alleged that the government repealed key reform ordinances covering judicial independence, anti-corruption measures, police accountability and enforced disappearances, while simultaneously expanding executive authority through new legislation. Reaffirming NCP's stance, Nahid said the party remains committed to pursuing democratic and institutional reforms both inside parliament and beyond it. “The struggle for a democratic state based on justice, accountability, pluralism and institutional reforms continues.” Diplomats, representatives of international organisations, civil society members and human rights activists attended the dialogue. NCP Reform Implementation Committee Deputy Chief Sarwar Tushar, Joint Member Secretary Alauddin Mohammad and Nusrat Tabassum also addressed the session. Central leaders Javed Rasin, Mahmuda Mitu and Faridul Hoque were among those present.

The agriculture cell of the National Citizen Party (NCP) on Tuesday submitted a memorandum to the Ministry of Agriculture urging the government to take immediate steps to address the devastating crop losses suffered by farmers in the haor region due to flashfloods and upstream water. The memorandum, signed by NCP Joint Chief Coordinator and Agriculture Secretary Golam Mortuja Selim, was received by ministry officials in the absence of Agriculture Minister Mohammed Aminur Rashid. NCP central members and agriculture cell members Touhid Ahmed Ashik and Md Omar Faruk were also present on the occasion. In the memorandum, the party said thousands of hectares of ripe Boro paddy have already gone under water across vast haor areas in Sunamganj, Habiganj, Netrokona and Kishoreganj districts, while the remaining crops face acute risk. It noted that around 37 percent of the crop is still standing in the fields in an unripe state, with rapid deterioration feared due to sudden flooding. Even harvested paddy is rotting due to inadequate drying and storage facilities, the memorandum said, adding that fodder for livestock has also been destroyed, pushing farming families to the brink. The party identified labour shortages, lack of mechanised support and weak embankments as factors compounding the crisis, warning that many farmers have already lost everything and now face food insecurity. It called on the government to declare flood-affected districts as disaster zones and provide emergency cash assistance and free food aid for affected farmers. The NCP also demanded full waiver of agricultural loans for completely ruined farmers along with easy-term re-financing, and the immediate deployment of mobile drying units and temporary dryers on an emergency basis. It urged the government to launch special paddy-harvesting programmes with Army and administrative support, ensure adequate harvesters and mechanised assistance, and expedite repairs to embankments while constructing durable long-term flood barriers. The memorandum further called for implementation of an integrated master plan for haor management, modernisation of early flood forecasting and warning systems, introduction of crop insurance for farmers, and preparation of a full list of affected farmers to ensure rapid rehabilitation. "If the haor farmers survive, the nation's food security is secured," the memorandum said, calling on the government to act without delay.  

Nusrat Tabassum Jyoti has been declared elected unopposed to a reserved seat for women in the 13th National Parliament on behalf of the National Citizen Party, according to a notification issued on Sunday. Following a directive of the High Court Division on a Writ Petition, her nomination papers were accepted and scrutinised on May 2, 2026, the Election Commission said. After the scrutiny process, her nomination was declared valid. NCP's Nahid warns BNP of 'another mass uprising' over intransigence to reforms Under Section 12(2) of the National Parliament (Reserved Women Seats) Election Act, 2004, she was formally declared elected unopposed as per the schedule, the notification added. The announcement was issued from the Election Commission Secretariat in Dhaka. The notification was signed by Joint Secretary Md Moin Uddin Khan. Earlier, on April 22, the Election Commission of Bangladesh cancelled Tabassum’s nomination on the grounds that her papers were submitted after the stipulated deadline. The commission also suspended the candidacy of another NCP leader, joint convener Monira Sharmin. April 22 was the final day for submitting nomination papers for the reserved women’s seats in the 13th National Parliament, with the deadline set at 4pm. According to officials, Nusrat Tabassum submitted her nomination papers at 4:19pm—19 minutes after the deadline—leading to the rejection of her candidacy. She later filed a writ petition with the High Court seeking restoration of her candidacy, following which the court issued the directive.

National Citizen Party (NCP) convener and opposition chief whip Nahid Islam on Sunday declared the first session of the national parliament ‘a failure’, saying the government sidelined reform discussions in favour of running the house on its own terms, betraying the core spirit of the July Uprising. “The first session was supposed to deliberate on how the various reform proposals would be implemented. Instead, the government conducted parliament as it pleased. If this continues, taking to the streets with the people will be our only option,” Nahid said at the closing session of NCP's national convention on ‘Energy, Economy, Human Rights, Reform and Referendum’ at the Diploma Engineers Institute in Kakrail. Reflecting on Bangladesh's democratic deficit, he said the country has been struggling to fulfil its democratic aspirations for 54 years. “After the Liberation War, democracy was supposed to take root. Instead, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman buried it by establishing BAKSAL. BNP spoke of multiparty democracy, but after the election we see they are deceiving the people.” On constitutional reform, Nahid reiterated NCP's firm position on establishing an upper house and power balance in parliament. “Every government that comes to power amends the constitution to suit itself. That is why we need checks and balances in parliament, including a referendum mechanism for constitutional changes. Constitutional bodies must not be partidised, and the prime minister should not hold unilateral appointment powers. A caretaker government must be formed with consensus across parties, and the judiciary must be separated. But even these alone will not establish a truly democratic state.” He warned that piecemeal amendment of the constitution would not be durable. Criticising BNP's approach, he said altering the constitution's fundamental principles without structural reform risked reversal at any time. “I said in parliament, Ziaur Rahman made this historic mistake. As a result, the door remains open to bring back Awami League's ideology and politics in the name of continuity from the 1972 constitution.” He also argued that notes of dissent attached to the July Charter undermine its effectiveness as a binding document. “Since this is meant to be a historic document, notes of dissent were separately appended on the very day it was signed. If whichever party comes to power implements it according to its own manifesto, the charter loses its force, and that is precisely why the referendum demand emerged.” Nahid called on all stakeholders to enshrine the July Charter in the constitution without delay and to implement the ideals of July without disrupting the country's democratic transition.

National Citizen Party (NCP) convener and Opposition Chief Whip  in Parliament Nahid Islam on Saturday warned ruling party BNP that it risks provoking another mass uprising if it continues to obstruct reform and follow what he called the “autocratic path” of the ousted Awami League. Addressing a national rally of July uprising martyrs' families and veterans at Suhrawardy Udyan organised by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami to press for implementation of the July Charter in line with a public referendum mandate, Nahid said BNP has been blocking meaningful reform at every turn since the mass uprising. “After the mass uprising, BNP has obstructed reform at every step. When they eventually joined the Consensus Commission, they registered notes of dissent on every major reform proposal,” he said. Accusing BNP of reneging on the referendum, Nahid said the party had initially agreed to a public vote only to begin walking back from that commitment after the election. “The very party born through a referendum is now repudiating the referendum after the mass uprising, in doing so, BNP is essentially repudiating its own existence.” He cautioned that BNP's attempt to re-partisan state institutions mirrored Awami League's methods. “If BNP tries to take this country down the old autocratic road, the people of Bangladesh will rise again. The youth will rise again. The students and citizens who took part in the mass uprising will be compelled to return to the streets.” Turning to governance failures, Nahid alleged that the government was trying to placate the public with family cards and farmer cards while denying a deepening energy crisis, worsening law-and-order, and mounting economic troubles. “Ministers in parliament say there is no fuel crisis but the government has run out of fuel.” Nahid added that BNP had become unpopular within two months of taking office. “I don't know if any government in Bangladesh's history has become so unpopular in so short a time,” he said, while stressing that his party sought no instability. “Our sole demand is that the July Charter be implemented in line with the referendum, and that the July mass uprising and the families of the martyrs be honoured. We are on the streets and in parliament, and we will secure this demand together.” The rally was also addressed by Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and Opposition Leader Dr Shafiqur Rahman, Liberal Democratic Party Chairman Col (retd) Oli Ahmad, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis Ameer Maulana Mamunul Haque, and other senior leaders of the 11-party alliance.

The National Citizens Party (NCP) has announced a 53-member central convening committee of its associate body, Jatiya Nari Shakti. The committee was announced on Saturday through a press release, approved under the directives of NCP Convener Nahid Islam and Member Secretary Akhter Hossen. Monira Sharmin has been appointed as convener of the new body, while Mahmuda Alam Mitu will serve as member secretary. NCP MP questions gap between fuel supply claim and reality at pumps Among other key posts, Sanzida Bushra Mishma has been made senior joint convener and Nusrat Tabassum appointed as chief organiser. The joint conveners include Hafsa Jahan, Nabila Tasnid, Khandakar Khaleda Akter, Ashrefa Khatun and Muna Hafsa. Manjila Jhuma has been named senior joint member secretary, while Dyuti Arannya Chowdhury Preeti, Nahida Bushra, Kazi Ayesha Ahmed, Neela Afroz, Mahmuda Rimi and Israt Jahan Bindu have been made joint member secretaries. Ishrat Jahan, Ursi Mahfila, Sadia Afrin, Jayanti Biswas, Sonia Lubna, Nafisa Mushtari and Nadia Islam Mim have been appointed as joint chief organisers. Besides, Rehnuma Ruma, Farzana Akter, Moni Mukta, Sejuti Akter and 30 others have been included as organisers in the committee.

National Citizen Party (NCP) convener and opposition chief whip Nahid Islam on Sunday urged allies and supporters to prepare for a fresh mass movement saying that the current government will never voluntarily implement reforms. Nahid made the remarks while presiding over an view-exchange meeting between July uprising martyrs' families and July fighters organised by the 11-party alliance at the Diploma Engineers Institution auditorium in the capital. “Two years after the mass uprising, we still stand united in the conviction that Bangladesh must be transformed through fundamental reforms. And the primary obstacle standing in the way of that transformation is the current government,” Nahid said. Expressing frustration over the failure of parliamentary processes, he said, “We had hoped that everything would be resolved in parliament. But parliament has been rendered ineffective. We must now prepare for a mass movement. Without it, the government will not implement reforms.” He, however, stressed that this time the movement must be strategic. “We do not want to fail again or settle for half-success. This time, we will take to the streets with a plan.” Asserting collective ownership of the reform agenda, the NCP chief said, “Reforms do not belong to any single party, they are a demand for the survival of Bangladesh.” He pledged that the alliance's leaders would stand at the frontline of any confrontation. “If bullets come, they will hit our chests first.” Nahid also accused the BNP government of exploiting the legacy of the July uprising for political legitimacy. “July martyrs and the wounded are the assets of this nation. We do not want to use them for politics. But the government invokes July fighters and even the spirit of 1971 to legitimise its actions while genuinely embodying neither.” He further alleged that Bangladesh has been moving backwards since the BNP assumed power. “The BNP reaped the fruits of the mass uprising of the 1990s but discarded the three-alliance roadmap once in power. Even now, they are rejecting the July Charter and the ordinance.” Senior leaders of the Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh-led 11-party alliance were also present at the event.  

National Citizen Party (NCP) MP Hasnat Abdullah on Wednesday warned that any attempt to exert undue control over judges will ultimately harm the country, stressing that safeguarding judicial independence is essential for maintaining the rule of law. In a Facebook post on his verified page, he said 28 judges have been served show-cause notices for expressing opinions within their internal groups. “This is the most worrying area. If judges cannot have constructive discussions among themselves in a safe space, then where does the independence of the judiciary actually stand?” Hasnat Abdullah wrote. NCP announces mayoral candidates for five city corporations Taking action against judges based on screenshots, he added, is a clear attempt to intimidate in the judiciary. “The message is very clear: ‘Keep quiet, otherwise you will get into trouble.’” Referring to the period after August 5, the NCP lawmaker said there was a time when judges seemed able to think and write with some courage, but that atmosphere is now slowly giving way to fear. “If such pressure continues on the judiciary, the place where the common people can seek justice also weakens.” He emphasised that this is not an issue of individuals but of the system as a whole. “If the voice of judges is controlled in this way, the entire country will ultimately have to pay the price. This decision needs to be at least reconsidered.” “The judiciary cannot be strengthened through intimidation; it can only be weakened,” Hasnat said.

NCP spokesperson Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan on Thursday said the role of Islami Andolan Bangladesh during the July uprising will be remembered forever. “Islami Andolan Bangladesh stood by us as the first political party to take to the streets with its banner during the July uprising. We will remember your contribution to the country and the nation forever,” he said while addressing a gathering at the Charmonai Mahfil in Barishal Sadar upazila. “I am able to stand before you today because of Islami Andolan Bangladesh and those who supported us at that time,” he said. He added that the relationship built with Islami Andolan Bangladesh during the movement for the people’s liberation would continue in the future. Earlier in the day, on the second day of the Charmonai Mahfil, an NCP delegation led by former adviser to the interim government and NCP spokesperson Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan visited the darbar of the Charmonai Pir in Barishal Sadar upazila.