Forty-five leaders and activists from various political platforms, including a section of leadership of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, United People’s Bangladesh (UP Bangladesh), and the Amar Bangladesh Party (AB Party), have officially joined the National Citizen Party (NCP).
The announcement was made by NCP Convener Nahid Islam during a press conference held on Sunday at the party’s temporary office in Banglamotor, Dhaka.
Welcoming the new members, Nahid said the induction of activists from different political backgrounds and platforms is an “ongoing process” and invited everyone who participated in the July revolution to join the party.
Nahid clarified that the party is less concerned with an individual’s former political affiliation—whether they were involved with Chhatra Dal, Chhatra Shibir, Chhatra Odhikar Parishad, or even Chhatra League.
“From today, when someone joins the NCP, they will work as an NCP activist,” he said. However, he maintained a strict policy against certain groups, stating that those who participated in fascism, supported genocide, or are accused of extortion, corruption, or terrorism cannot remain in the NCP.
He further noted that the party is consolidating the aspirations of the July mass uprising with the goal of establishing a “discrimination-free democratic Bangladesh”.
Joining from the AB Party, Barrister Abdul Haq Sani emphasised the need to preserve the unity established regarding the July movement and national reforms.
Rifat Rashid, former president of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, echoed this sentiment, describing the NCP as the “ultimate destination” for the July warriors.
Notable new members include Ali Ahsan Junaid, the chief organiser of UP Bangladesh, and Rafe Salman Rifat, both of whom are former presidents of the Dhaka University branch of Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir.
Junaid remarked that a sense of public despair has emerged regarding the progress of reforms, making it essential to work collectively to implement the people’s aspirations.
The list of those who joined also includes Mahiran Sultana Ira, Ayman Rahat, Shahadat Hossain, Sardar Amirul Islam (Sagar), Hasan Tanvir, Tanvir Ahmed Kallol, Hasib Al Islam, S.M. Sweet, Wahid Alam, Jahidur Rahman, Md. Jasim Uddin, Md. Mosharraf Hossain, Sultan Maruf Talha, Tousib Mahmud Sohan, Farhana Sharmin Shuchi, Sajjad Sabbir, nutritionist Mohammad Raihanul Islam, Abdul Aziz Bhuiyan, Ahmmed Karim Chowdhury, Dilara Khanam, Kazi Salman, Shoaib Hasan Rayan, Md Suayib Hasan, Murad Hossain, Engineer Abu Sayed Md. Noman, Fayaz Shahed, Engineer Mohammad Imam Uddin Riyad, Mostafa Kamal Mahathir, Arafat E Rabbi Prince, Kazi Ahnaf Tahmeed, Md Shamim, Badre Alam Shahin, Md. Nazmul Haque, Masuma Billah (Sabiha), Farzana Akter, Tawhidul Islam (Jagannath University), Rakibul Hasan (Jahangirnagar University), Sadab Mubtasim Prantik (North South University), Mohiuddin Hasan, Mohammad Nurul Hasan, and Al Mahmud.
