Bangladesh Student Leader Establishes National Citizens Party for Reform
Nahid Islam, a leader from the student uprising in Bangladesh, has formed the National Citizens Party (NCP) to continue the push for political reform after Sheikh Hasina’s ouster. He resigned from the interim administration to lead the new party, emphasizing the need to fulfill the promises made during the protests. Although elections are expected to favor the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, Nahid believes in the long-term influence of their new political movement.
In Dhaka, Bangladesh, students have established a new political party called the National Citizens Party (NCP) with the aim to continue the momentum from last year’s uprising that led to the overthrow of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Nahid Islam, aged 27 and a significant figure in the youth-led protest movement, articulated this initiative as a response to what he sees as a lack of genuine reform from the existing political framework.
Nahid, who recently resigned from the interim administration formed after Hasina’s ouster, expressed dissatisfaction, stating that the political establishment shows no interest in the reforms for which many young lives were sacrificed. He emphasized, “We have an obligation to implement what we pledged during the mass uprising and its aftermath, we decided to form a political party,” to ensure their goals are pursued.
The uprising that led to Hasina’s removal resulted in significant casualties, with over 800 deaths. Nahid was among the student leaders briefly detained during the protests nonviolent attempts to suppress the movement. Following this upheaval, he was invited to join the interim government, which is preparing for elections due in March next year, anticipated to be dominated by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).
Although Nahid acknowledged the impending elections may not yield immediate victory for the NCP, he proclaimed that they have initiated a political force that will remain impactful for years ahead. He stated, “I sincerely hope and I believe that we are going to win this time. But this election is not the end of the world… Our target is to sustain this energy for another 50 or 100 or more years,” emphasizing the long-term vision of their movement.
In conclusion, the formation of the National Citizens Party by Nahid Islam marks a significant development in Bangladeshi politics, aiming to build on the momentum of last year’s student-led uprising. With a focus on long-term reform and sustained political engagement, Nahid and his colleagues seek to bring about the changes they feel are necessary for the country’s future. The group represents a new voice for youth activism and political reform in Bangladesh, indicating a potential shift in the political landscape of the nation.
Original Source: www.thenews.com.pk
