New Bangladesh Is Impossible With Old Governance Structure: Nahid Islam

National Citizens Party (NCP) convener Nahid Islam has stated that a new Bangladesh cannot be built while retaining the existing constitution and governance structure.

Speaking to journalists after paying tribute at the National Memorial in Savar on Tuesday morning, Nahid Islam said, "A one-party constitution sowed the seeds of fascism and autocratic rule. We need a new republic, which requires a new constitution and an elected Constituent Assembly."

The National Citizens Party (NCP) was officially launched on February 28 through a joint initiative of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement and the Jatiya Nagorik Committee. The party later announced its 216-member full-fledged convening committee on Saturday night. Just four days after its inception, NCP leaders and members visited the National Memorial in Savar to pay tribute to the martyrs of the 1971 Liberation War.

Nahid Islam officially announced the commencement of NCP’s activities, emphasizing the party’s commitment to upholding the aspirations of past struggles, from the 1947 independence movement to the 1971 Liberation War, and the 2024 student and public uprising. "We will work towards building a new Bangladesh based on these aspirations," he said.

Highlighting the party’s stance on governance reform, he added, "Although we gained an independent state in 1971, our sovereignty has always been under threat. Our democratic institutions have collapsed repeatedly. We never established a truly democratic constitution. Instead, a one-party constitution laid the foundation for fascism and autocracy."

"We are advocating for a Second Republic," he reiterated, "which requires a new constitution and a democratic governance structure. This is our goal, and we are working towards it."

Nahid Islam also stated that the party’s immediate focus is expanding its organizational activities across the grassroots level and meeting the necessary criteria for party registration. "We will begin drafting our party constitution within this month," he confirmed.

In response to a question, Nahid Islam called for judicial proceedings to address the political fate of the Awami League. He urged the interim government to ensure justice for the killings during the July uprising and hold those responsible accountable.

"We want to see swift trials for those involved in the massacres during the July uprising. The perpetrators of repression over the last 15 years must face justice," he asserted.

"The people of Bangladesh expect this trial to proceed swiftly. After justice is served, we want to see immediate steps toward national reforms and the implementation of the July Declaration through a national consensus," he added.

Key NCP leaders present at the event included Chief Organizer Sarjis Alam, Hasnat Abdullah, Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patoary, and Senior Joint Chief Coordinator Hannan Masud, among others.