The National Citizens’ Committee and the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement have announced the formation of a new political party. The declaration was made on Wednesday, February 5, through a press release shared on the Facebook page of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement. The announcement was accompanied by a photo post featuring Nahid Islam, Advisor to the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications & IT, and the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, stating that the new political party would be launched within February.
Encouraging public participation, another post invited individuals to engage in shaping the party’s ideology, stating: “Tell us what kind of party you want, and we will build it accordingly. Share your thoughts in the form provided in the comments. It takes only five minutes to fill out.”
A separate post detailed a nationwide campaign to gather citizens’ opinions regarding the formation of the party.
The official press release outlined the four core principles of the new political entity, addressing journalists with the phrase, “Dear journalists, in your vision of a new Bangladesh,” and presenting a framework for the party’s political stance.
The statement referenced the August 5, 2024 student-led uprising, which resulted in the fall of the Awami Fascist League government, leading to the establishment of a student-led administration. However, it asserted that despite the downfall of the regime, remnants of the fascist structure remain embedded within the state. The press release emphasized that the demands of the mass uprising—dismantling the fascist system, institutionalizing democracy, and building a society based on equality, human dignity, and social justice—remain unfulfilled.
Drawing historical parallels, the statement recalled previous movements such as the Pakistan Movement of 1947, the Liberation War of 1971, and the 1990 uprising, asserting that the people of Bangladesh have repeatedly aspired to establish a just and democratic state. It criticized existing political parties for failing to materialize these aspirations, arguing that the recent bloodshed in 2024 has once again created a defining moment in the nation’s history. It claimed that the student-led revolution has generated fresh political aspirations among citizens, particularly the youth, which the current political entities have failed to accommodate. Consequently, the student movement and its allies have initiated efforts to form a political party that embodies these ideals.
Public Consultation and Grassroots Participation
The National Citizens’ Committee and the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement have launched a nationwide public consultation to determine what citizens expect from a new political party and to establish key priorities for the country’s future.
In a joint press release, Nasiruddin Patwari and Hasnat Abdullah pledged to ensure the participation of grassroots and marginalized communities in the political process. They emphasized that the emerging political structure should reflect the hopes and aspirations of all citizens.
“This is the most extensive consultative effort ever undertaken by a new political party in our country,” said Nasiruddin Patwari. “We are not just starting a party—we are launching a movement where every citizen, from garment workers to university professors, has a say in shaping the policies that affect their lives.”
The initiative embraces a multi-pronged approach, ensuring equal participation through both online and offline methods. While digital forms are being circulated via WhatsApp and social media platforms, physical forms are being distributed for those without internet access.
“Real change does not happen in air-conditioned offices,” stated Hasnat Abdullah. “That is why we are in the field, listening to farmers, talking to rickshaw pullers, and engaging with garment workers during their breaks. This party will not be imposed from the top; it will emerge from the people.”
A People’s Movement for Political Transformation
Under the slogan “In Your Vision of a New Bangladesh,” the consultative initiative aims to engage committees and workers across the country. The movement seeks to connect with over 100,000 individuals, including rickshaw pullers, shopkeepers, day laborers, domestic workers, teachers, and street sweepers, to gather insights that will shape the direction of the new political party.
The emerging party is committed to being the voice of the many, not the few, and aims to represent those who have been left out of the existing political system.
“We aspire to build a new political culture by listening to all citizens,” the statement concluded.
