The Emergence of the National Citizen Party: A New Political Era in Post-July Revolution Bangladesh

Quota Movement in Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh. 2024, Source: © Pexels, Photo by Nahmad Hassan

Bangladeshi students who led the protests during the July Revolution have launched ‘Jatiya Nagorik Party’ (National Citizens’ Party). Nahid Islam, prominent protest leader is serving as the convener, and the new party aims to establish a democratic state founded on principles of rights and dignity.

On Friday, February 28th, 2025, the ‘Jatiya Nagorik Party’ (National Citizens’ Party) was launched by Bangladeshi students who led the protests during the Student-People uprising, also known as the July Revolution that ultimately toppled the Sheikh Hasina regime (Bangladeshi students launch political party after ousting PM Hasina, 2025). The new party will strive to establish a democratic state founded on principles of rights and dignity (Hossen, 2025). The National Citizen Party (NCP) will be led by Nahid Islam, a prominent protest leader who recently served as an adviser to the interim government headed by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus following Hasina’s exit (Kanunjna, 2025). 

Since gaining independence in 1971, Bangladeshi politics has been dominated by Hasina’s Awami League (AL) and Khaleda Zia’s Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), both accused of corruption and authoritarianism, while smaller parties struggled. Therefore, many now hope the new youth-led party will reshape the political landscape (Kanunjna, 2025). The top leadership of the central committee  was announced at the inauguration rally by Mim Akhter, a sister of the July martyr Ismail Hossain Rabbi (National Citizen Party launched, 2025). The party unveiled a partial organogram with 151 members, and the full committee will be announced later on (NCP announces 151-member committee with Nahid as convener, 2025). 

The party aims to establish a ‘Second Republic’ in the country, signifying a shift from the previous system of governance to a new political framework, achieved through revolution, uprising, or other transformative means (What does National Citizen Party mean by ‘Second Republic’, 2025).

Sources and Further Readings:

Bangladeshi students launch political party after ousting PM Hasina. (2025, February 28). Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/bangladeshi-students-launch-political-party-after-ousting-pm-hasina-2025-02-28/. Accessed 28 February 2025.

Hossen, M. B., (2025, February 27). Nahid, Akhter to lead National Citizen Party set to be launched tomorrow. The Business Standard. https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/politics/national-citizens-party-youths-reveal-name-new-party-set-be-launched-tomorrow Accessed 28 February 2025.

Kanunjna, A. D. (2025, February 28). Bangladesh students launch new party to shake up politics. DW. https://www.dw.com/en/bangladesh-students-launch-new-party-to-shake-up-politics/a-71786361 Accessed 28 February 2025.

National Citizen Party launched. (2025, February 28). The Daily Star. https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/politics/news/hundreds-gather-manik-mia-avenue-3836096 Accessed 28 February 2025.

NCP announces 151-member committee with Nahid as convener. (2025, February 28). The Business Standard. https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/politics/ncp-announces-151-member-committee-nahid-convener-1080941 Accessed 28 February 2025.

What does National Citizen Party mean by ‘Second Republic’?. (2025, March 1). Prothom Alo. https://en.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/nwdsntitzk Accessed 28 February 2025.