Political Pivot: Nahid Islam Resigns from Interim Government to Form New Party

Md. Nahid Islam has resigned from the advisory council of the interim government just two days after widespread speculations about his departure, stepping down to focus on forming a new political party.

On Tuesday (February 25), Nahid submitted his resignation, a fact confirmed by sources from the Chief Advisor’s Office. He also addressed the media in a briefing, personally confirming his decision to leave the advisory council.

Nahid Islam had been serving as the advisor for both the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology, and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in the interim government.

His resignation comes amid ongoing discussions about the formation of a new political party, spearheaded by the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement and the National Citizens’ Committee. Nahid Islam is expected to lead this new political platform. His departure from the advisory council had been anticipated for some time, especially given his past role as the spokesperson during the quota reform protests led by the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement.

According to trusted sources within the National Citizens’ Committee, the new political party is set to be officially launched on Friday (February 28). Student leaders who were at the forefront of the July mass uprising are expected to take key positions in the new party. Nahid Islam’s nomination as the party's convener was widely accepted within both the National Citizens’ Committee and the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement.

However, there had been some debate regarding the appointment of the member secretary. It now appears that Akhtar Hossain, currently the member secretary of the National Citizens’ Committee, will assume that role. Additionally, Sarjis Alam and Hasnat Abdullah are likely to be named the chief organizer and spokesperson of the new party, respectively.