Feb 28, Saturday, Bangladesh: In a significant development in Bangladesh’s turbulent political landscape, student activists who spearheaded mass protests last year, leading to the ousting of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, have officially launched a new political party. The Jatiya Nagorik Party (National Citizens’ Party), unveiled on Friday, aims to contest upcoming elections likely to be held by the end of this year. The move marks a bold attempt to challenge the dominance of the country’s two major political forces—Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League and Khaleda Zia’s Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).
The roots of this new political force lie in the Students Against Discrimination (SAD) movement, which began as a protest against public sector job quotas but quickly evolved into a nationwide uprising. The demonstrations, which erupted in mid-2023, saw thousands of students and young activists take to the streets, demanding systemic reforms and an end to corruption. The protests, which lasted for weeks, turned violent, resulting in over 1,000 deaths and ultimately forcing Sheikh Hasina to flee to India in early August.
Since Hasina’s departure, the SAD group has been laying the groundwork for its political transformation. The launch of the Jatiya Nagorik Party represents a strategic shift from street activism to mainstream politics, with the aim of offering Bangladeshis a fresh political alternative. The party’s formation is seen as a direct response to the growing disillusionment with the country’s traditional political elites, who have dominated the scene for decades.
Nahid Islam, a prominent student leader who played a pivotal role in the protests, has emerged as the face of the new party. Islam, who briefly served as an adviser in the interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, resigned from his position on Wednesday to take on the role of convener of the Jatiya Nagorik Party. His resignation underscores the party’s commitment to maintaining its independence from the existing political establishment.
The launch event on Friday was a vibrant display of hope and determination. Thousands of supporters from across Bangladesh gathered in front of the parliament building in Dhaka, waving the national flag and wearing red and green bandanas—symbols of unity and patriotism. The atmosphere was electric, with chants of “A new Bangladesh, a new dawn!” echoing through the crowd. Leaders from other political parties also attended the event, signaling a potential shift in alliances as the country prepares for elections.
In his address to the gathering, Nahid Islam outlined the party’s vision for a democratic and inclusive Bangladesh. “We will keep Bangladesh and the interest of its citizens in mind and join hands to build a new nation,” he declared, with the national flag wrapped around his forehead. He emphasized the party’s commitment to drafting a new constitution through an elected constituent assembly, a move aimed at ensuring greater transparency and public participation in governance.
“We are committed to adopting a new, democratic constitution,” Islam read from the party’s declaration. “A key goal is to draft this constitution through an elected constituent assembly, reflecting the will of the people and addressing the systemic issues that have plagued our nation for too long.”
The Jatiya Nagorik Party’s emergence comes at a critical juncture for Bangladesh, a Muslim-majority nation of 170 million people. Since Sheikh Hasina’s ouster, the country has been grappling with political instability and economic challenges. The interim government, led by Muhammad Yunus, has been working to stabilize the situation, but calls for early elections and a return to democratic governance have grown louder.
Yunus, an economist and social entrepreneur, has indicated that elections could be held by the end of 2025. However, he has ruled out running for office, leaving the field open for new political players like the Jatiya Nagorik Party to step in. Political analysts believe that the party’s youth-led, reform-oriented agenda could resonate strongly with Bangladesh’s large young population, many of whom are frustrated with the status quo.
“The entry of a youth-led party into mainstream politics could significantly reshape the national political landscape,” said Dr. Farhana Ahmed, a Dhaka-based political analyst. “For decades, Bangladeshi politics has been dominated by the Awami League and the BNP, both of which are seen as increasingly out of touch with the aspirations of the younger generation. The Jatiya Nagorik Party has the potential to disrupt this duopoly and bring fresh ideas to the table.”
Despite these hurdles, the launch of the Jatiya Nagorik Party represents a bold step toward redefining Bangladesh’s political future. By channeling the energy and idealism of the youth into a structured political movement, the party aims to create a more inclusive and democratic society. As Nahid Islam and his supporters embark on this journey, they carry with them the hopes of millions of Bangladeshis who yearn for change and a brighter future.
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