Bangladeshi students have launched a new political party called the National Citizens’ Party (Jatiya Nagorik Party) in an effort to challenge the long-dominant two-party system. The party was founded by student leader Nahid Islam, who is now its convener.
The launch of this new party comes after the ousting of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina last year. The Students Against Discrimination (SAD) group, which led protests against public sector job quotas, played a key role in forcing Hasina’s departure.
With elections likely to be held by the end of 2025, the National Citizens’ Party is positioning itself as a fresh alternative for Bangladeshis. The party is committed to adopting a new democratic constitution and drafting it through an elected constituent assembly.
The Muslim-majority country has been plagued by political unrest since Hasina’s departure, with demands for early elections and a return to democratic governance. Analysts believe that a youth-led party like the National Citizens’ Party could significantly reshape national politics.
Islam, who was instrumental in advocating students’ interests within the interim government, emphasized the need to put Bangladesh’s interests above all else. He stated that the party would work towards building a new nation and adopting a democratic constitution.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/bangladeshi-students-launch-political-party-after-ousting-pm-hasina-2025-02-28