A student-led movement that played a key role in the removal of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has now transformed into a political party. The National Citizen Party (NCP) was officially launched on Friday in Dhaka, with thousands of youth attending the event.
A Party Born from Revolution
Nahid Islam, who recently resigned from Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus’ interim government, has taken the leadership of NCP. Addressing the crowd at Manik Mia Avenue, south of the parliament building, he declared:
“We want unity and equality. We are neither pro-Indian nor pro-Pakistani. Our focus is solely on Bangladesh and its people.”
The party, which identifies as liberal, has positioned itself as a platform for the younger generation, who make up a majority of the country’s population.
Bangladesh’s Youth at the Core
According to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), 57% of the country’s population is under 29 years old, with those aged 15 to 19 forming the largest demographic group. NCP aims to mobilize this segment to bring lasting political change.
The Ouster of Sheikh Hasina and Political Unrest
The formation of NCP follows the August 2024 uprising, in which student-led protests resulted in the removal of Sheikh Hasina. The violent clashes led to the deaths of 1,400 people, according to a UN fact-finding report. After her removal, Hasina, 76, fled to India, and an interim government was formed under Muhammad Yunus.
Global Attention on Bangladesh’s Crisis
As political tensions rise, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is expected to visit Bangladesh in mid-March to assess the situation. Meanwhile, Bangladesh Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman has warned that the country’s sovereignty is at risk unless political factions unite.
With the emergence of NCP, Bangladesh’s political landscape is set for a significant transformation, as the younger generation takes center stage in shaping the nation’s future.