United News of Bangladesh

National Citizen Party (NCP) Joint Convener Samanta Sharmin has resigned from the party, citing its alliance with Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, “deviation” from its founding principles, “failure” to ensure women's political rights and lack of internal democracy. In a post on her verified Facebook page on Thursday, Sharmin said she no longer believed the NCP was sincere about upholding the values on which it was founded, despite her repeated efforts over the past 11 months to bring changes through internal discussions and written proposals. “I believe it is no longer possible for the NCP to remain sincere to the values on which the party was founded,” she said. Sharmin said she had opposed an alliance with Jamaat from the outset, arguing that the party was neither a principled nor a strategic partner for the NCP and that the alliance would come at a high political cost. She accused Jamaat of not genuinely supporting democratic reforms and said its political philosophy and proposed state structure were incompatible with a democratic system. Criticising the NCP's electoral strategy, Sharmin said the party had sacrificed its independent political identity and the possibility of building a new political direction after the July 2024 mass uprising by joining an alliance with established political forces in the 2026 election. She also alleged that the NCP had failed to recognise women's contributions to the uprising by ensuring their meaningful representation in leadership and decision-making, instead following conservative political trends. Sharmin further criticised the party leadership for restructuring its convening committee without holding a council, saying the move had undermined internal democracy and reflected the practices of traditional political parties. She said she had repeatedly urged the leadership to reconsider these issues, but the party showed no willingness to change its course. Outlining her future political vision, Sharmin called for a new political force based on national unity, democratic governance, sovereignty, women's equal participation and economic justice. She urged young people to build a political platform beyond traditional party divisions, stressing that Bangladesh's national interests must remain above the interests of any foreign power.

Jatiya Shramik Shakti, labour wing of the National Citizen Party (NCP), on Tuesday warned of a nationwide movement if the government fails to meet their demand for a hike in the minimum monthly wage for garment workers within three days. “If it (the new minimum wage) is not implemented within the next three days, Jatiya Shramik Shakti will launch a larger movement across the country,” its convener Mazharul Islam Fakir said at a press conference held in front of the National Citizen Party (NCP) central office in Banglamotor. Fakir accused the government of failing to address workers’ grievances and condemned the use of force against protesters in Dhaka and Gazipur, calling for an immediate end to the use of force against protesting workers. He blamed the Labour Ministry’s failure to act promptly on wage demands for the ongoing unrest and called for the immediate resignation of the Labour Minister. He also criticised the formation of the newly formed wage board, demanding that worker representatives be elected directly by workers rather than appointed through political affiliations.  

Jatiya Shramik Shakti on Monday demanded a minimum monthly wage of Tk 30,000 for garment workers and warned the government against using force to suppress the ongoing workers' movement. “If attempts are made to suppress the movement, the situation could take a turn in which Tarique Rahman will find no way to flee,” the organisation’s Member Secretary Riyaz Morshed said at a press conference at Gazipur Chowrasta. He alleged that Tarique Rahman had returned to Bangladesh from London riding on the student-worker-public movement, yet workers were now facing force for taking part in peaceful protests. Jatiya Sramik Shakti is the Labor wing of the National Citizen Party (NCP). Morshed also expressed dissatisfaction with the appointment of workers’ representatives to the wage board, claiming that the selected representatives would fail to protect workers’ interests. Jatiya Shramik Shakti Chief Organiser Arman Hossain said Tk 30,000 was not a luxury but a necessity for workers to maintain a healthy life amid rising living costs. “If there were an effective rationing system, we would not have had to take to the streets demanding higher wages,” he said. Abdullah Al Muhim, joint member secretary of the Gazipur metropolitan unit of the National Citizen Party (NCP), urged the authorities to focus on preventing public processions by Awami League supporters rather than looking for alleged links to the party in workers’ legitimate movement. The organisation called on the government to accept workers’ demands without delay and take effective measures to increase wages through peaceful means. Central and local leaders of Jatiya Shramik Shakti attended the press conference.

The National Citizen Party (NCP) has strongly criticised several media outlets, including Maasranga Television, for publishing birthday greetings for former Cultural Affairs Minister Asaduzzaman Noor, who is in jail in connection with charges over the July killings and corruption. In a statement issued on Sunday, the party expressed anger over reports published by some media outlets on October 31, describing Noor as a "cultural activist" or "cultural personality" while marking his birthday. The NCP alleged that Noor was involved in the killing of students and members of the public, as well as widespread corruption, and described the media coverage as irresponsible and unethical, saying it was an attempt to rehabilitate fascism. "Culture is not merely the practice of art; it is also one of the major tools for creating authoritarian and fascist narratives," the statement said. The party said Noor was not merely an actor but had long been one of the key figures and driving forces behind what it described as the fascist system. Portraying him positively in the media under the guise of humanity amounted to a betrayal of the blood of martyrs and an insult to thousands of families affected by repression, the NCP said. It also alleged that such coverage was part of an attempt to conceal and normalise the horrific crimes committed under fascism. The NCP urged the media outlets concerned to refrain from what it called attempts to downplay the alleged crimes of those accused of crimes against humanity and political wrongdoing. The party also said the media had an ethical responsibility to play an active role in opposing fascism and supporting the process of building a democratic Bangladesh. It called on the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to form a media commission without delay.

People want food, employment and security, and the government must ensure these basic needs, National Citizen Party (NCP) Senior Joint Convener Hasnat Abdullah said on Saturday. "People in this country want food, jobs and security. I tell the BNP government: let people live and provide them with employment. Otherwise, people will take to the streets once again," he said. Hasnat Abdullah, also the lawmaker from Comilla-4, was speaking at a street rally at Murli Mor in Jashore town on Saturday evening as part of a long march organised by the 11-party alliance. Hasnat expressed concern over the country's security situation, alleging that police picked people up from their homes when they raised concerns about their safety. Referring to the case of Sathi Akter in Mymensingh, he said police took her into custody after she expressed regret during a Facebook Live broadcast for voting for the BNP. "We are living in a time when, if we dare to protest, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) threatens us with 'crossfire'," he added. The NCP leader also criticised the government over the growing unemployment problem, saying many university graduates were struggling to find jobs despite going from one place to another in search of work. He alleged that the government made misleading claims about employment opportunities in Japan and Malaysia. He said the government had claimed that Japan would provide jobs for 100,000 Bangladeshis following a visit there, but the Japanese government later clarified that no such agreement had been reached. He also referred to a claim that 200,000 jobs would be created in Malaysia, saying the Malaysian side denied any such agreement. Regarding the opposition's role, Hasnat said it must act as 'an alternative government and prepare to take state responsibility'. "We cannot have an opposition that alleges election rigging but then accepts the results. If an election is rigged, we must have the courage to say so openly. We cannot cry foul over rigging one moment and then celebrate by eating sweets the next," he said. He accused the government of allowing extortion and irregularities in government tenders, exercising partisan control over state institutions and failing to address public concerns. He called on the opposition to take a firm stand against government irregularities.

National Citizen Party (NCP) leader Nasiruddin Patwary on Friday threatened to lead a march towards Gulshan if the government fails to take action against powerful business syndicates he accused of manipulating the market and keeping commodity prices high. “If the government cannot bring these syndicates under control, we will march towards their offices in Gulshan,” he said while addressing a protest rally at Shahbagh, arranged by the NCP's Dhaka north and south city units. He accused Meghna Group and Bashundhara Group of maintaining financial links with the ruling BNP, alleging that the two business groups had been making payments to the party's Gulshan office. He claimed that such business-political ties were contributing to syndication in the market and driving up the prices of essential commodities. He said the NCP had conducted a survey on commodity prices over a week and claimed that prices in Bangladesh were around 20 percent higher than those in Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and India. He, however, did not provide details of the survey methodology or the specific products compared. The NCP leader also alleged that consumers were being charged between Tk 2,500 and Tk 3,500 for LPG cylinders, despite the government-fixed price being Tk 1,837. Referring to the city's transport problems, he said the NCP would support removing unauthorised vehicles from roads and clearing footpaths only if the government ensured adequate alternative public transport. He warned that the party would consider stopping the vehicles of government officials and other luxury car users if ordinary commuters continued to suffer from a lack of public transport. He also accused the government of failing to address unemployment among young people, recalling the BNP's election pledge to create one crore jobs. The NCP leader further alleged that syndicates and corruption were affecting public services, including hospitals, and called for accountability over the problems facing ordinary people.

National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam on Friday warned that his party would expand its demonstrations across the country and eventually surround the Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to press for the resignation of the Home and Energy Ministers. “If they do not resign, our procession will grow bigger, and we will organise demonstrations across the country. We will surround Tarique Rahman with those processions and realise our demands,” he said. He made these remarks while addressing a protest rally arranged by the NCP's Dhaka north and south city units at Shahbagh, where the party placed a four-point demand. The NCP convener held Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed primarily responsible for what he described as the government's failure to ensure public security. He alleged that the law and order situation had deteriorated, leaving people vulnerable to killings, enforced disappearances, and other forms of insecurity. He also blamed the government for gas and electricity shortages and rising commodity prices, saying ordinary people, shopkeepers, and small traders were struggling with the situation. The NCP demanded the resignation of the Home and Energy Ministers over their alleged failures, dissolution of the constitutional amendment committee it described as one-sided, and formation of a Constitution Reform Council in line with the outcome of the July Charter referendum. The party also called for the repeal of laws it considers contrary to human rights and freedom of expression, rejection of the proposed amendments to the Cyber Security Act, and completion of the trials over the July mass killings, followed by immediate implementation of the verdicts. The NCP convener accused the BNP government of violating commitments made in the July Charter, its 31-point program, and election manifesto. He alleged that the government had disregarded the aspirations of the July mass uprising. He also criticised Salahuddin Ahmed for being more involved in constitutional amendment activities instead of concentrating on his responsibilities as Home Minister. Raising concerns over border security, he alleged that Bangladeshis were being killed along the border and accused India of pursuing various moves to destabilise Bangladesh. He claimed that the government was unable to protect the country's interests from what he described as Indian interference. He further threatened a fresh movement if a fair renewal of the Ganges Water Sharing Treaty was not secured in December, saying Bangladesh would not compromise on its rightful share of the river's water.

The National Citizen Party (NCP) has called a mass protest at Shahbagh on Friday, pressing a five-point charter of demands led by the resignation of Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed and Energy Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood. In a message issued Thursday night, the party said it was demanding the two ministers step down for failing to ensure public safety and energy security. Among the other demands, the NCP called for dissolving the "one-party-dominated" committee on constitutional amendment and forming a constitutional reform council in line with the referendum verdict. The party also demanded the repeal of all laws that run counter to human rights and freedom of expression, and insisted that the proposed amendments to the Cyber Security Act must not be passed. It further called for completing the trials over the July mass killings and implementing the verdicts without delay, and for the removal of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) over what it termed questionable remarks on extrajudicial killings. Speaking to UNB, NCP Joint Convener Sarwar Tushar said party leaders and other members of its political council would gather at Shahbagh for the protest over the five demands. "This should not be called a grand rally," he said, adding that the programme would begin in Dhaka and be followed by similar protests in divisional cities in phases. He said the party plans to hold a large-scale rally after the protest programmes conclude.

Chief Whip of the Opposition and National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam on Wednesday accused the ruling BNP of killing its own people, alleging that the “deteriorating” law-and-order situation has left ordinary people vulnerable to violence and injustice. "How bad must the law-and-order situation have become for them to be killing their own people? Whether justice will be served for this is a question for me," Nahid said at a meeting with leaders of the Dhaka division (Southern Region) to discuss organisational progress and plans for the upcoming election. Briefing journalists at the start of the meeting, he alleged that the judiciary remains under the “control of those in power as the justice system has not been reformed”.  Nahid alleged that cadres operating under BNP's patronage are killing even their own party men and torturing and oppressing ordinary people across the country. "If we let this government off the hook, who knows, we may have to face another fascism. We do not want to have to overthrow another fascist regime at the cost of 1,400 lives again," he said. Claiming that the country is turning into a "mafia state", the NCP leader said, "We wanted a neutral and strong position from the law enforcement agencies. But we see the IGP talking about crossfire. The home minister has completely failed to provide leadership. No action is being taken against the numerous drug spots that have been identified across the country. Bangladesh has effectively become a mafia state, which it already was – nothing has changed." He alleged that while terrorists are armed, ministers and state ministers are also carrying “weapons”. "This is what is called a mafia state, where you have to confront arms with arms in your own hands," he said. On drug trafficking, Nahid accused the government of failing to arrest the alleged godfathers of the trade, members of drug syndicates and political leaders linked to the business. "Unless this is done, it will not be possible to eliminate drugs," he said. He also alleged that the largest volume of drug smuggling in Bangladesh takes place through Cox's Bazar, the home minister's constituency, yet he is unable to stop it even in his own area. Referring to the upcoming local government elections, the NCP leader expressed his doubts about the polls being fair.

National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener and Opposition Chief Whip Nahid Islam on Wednesday said the Awami League’s politics had been permanently ended in Bangladesh through the mass uprising. “The fascist Awami League was defeated on August 5. The people of Bangladesh, students and young people sacrificed their lives and shed blood to overthrow fascism,” he said. He alleged that the Awami League’s recent activities were part of diplomatic efforts by a neighbouring country to keep Bangladesh under pressure. Nahid made the remarks while talking to journalists at Rajbari Pourashava auditorium around 12:30pm, ahead of a meeting with party leaders and activists from five districts in the greater Faridpur region over the upcoming local government elections. He said the struggle against the Awami League was ideological and would continue against those he described as remnants of fascism. “Fascist forces, authoritarian elements and new extortionists and corrupt groups are now becoming intertwined,” he said. Nahid expressed doubt that the upcoming local government elections would be held peacefully, alleging that hundreds of people had been killed or injured in infighting within the ruling party. He also alleged that the Election Commission and police administration had been politicised, making a fair election difficult under the current circumstances. He said the 11-party alliance would submit specific proposals to the Election Commission to ensure fair local government elections. Commenting on remarks by the Inspector General of Police concerning journalists, Nahid said journalists had performed their duties by publishing accurate information and that legal measures were available if any report was found to be incorrect. He said the police chief or other responsible officials should not make such remarks against journalists. Nahid also alleged that police, administration officials and political leaders were involved in drug syndicates, saying the crime could not be eliminated without dismantling the networks and ensuring accountability. The meeting was organised by the NCP’s Rajbari district unit, with participation from leaders and activists from Faridpur, Gopalganj, Madaripur and Shariatpur districts. NCP Senior Joint Member Secretary and Political Council member Sarjis Alam spoke as the chief speaker. He said the party had launched region-based coordination meetings under Nahid Islam’s leadership and was working to form NCP convening committees in all 4,600 unions across the country by November 30. The party was also screening candidates for chairman posts in unions where it had support, he said, adding that candidates were being selected at district, upazila and union levels. Sarjis alleged that the ruling party was obstructing the NCP’s organisational activities in different parts of the country, preventing the administration from taking action in some cases. NCP Joint Convener Ariful Islam Adeeb, Organising Secretary Abdullah Mohammad Hossain, Assistant Organising Secretary for Dhaka Division (South) Hasibur Rahman Apu, and Publicity and Publications Secretary Syed Jamil attended the meeting as special guests.