The National Citizen Party (NCP) began its election campaign by paying respects at the graves of historic leaders, including Sharif Osman Hadi.
NCP Convener Nahid Islam along with senior party leaders offered tributes at the graves of Sher-e-Bangla AK Fazlul Huq, Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy, and Khwaja Nazimuddin in the Dhaka University area.
They later paid tributes to National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam and Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of the Inqilab Moncho, who was killed in a shooting, on the premises of DU’s central mosque.
While speaking after the tributes, Nahid Islam said the 2024 mass uprising had begun in the DU area, which has been deeply tied to every historic struggle of Bengalis, including the Language Movement of 1952, the Liberation War of 1971, and the Pakistan Movement of 1947.
For this reason, NCP chose Dhaka University, specifically the Dhaka-8 constituency, as the starting point of its formal political activities.
Nahid described Sher-e-Bangla Fazlul Huq and Suhrawardy as architects of independent Bangladesh and pioneers of democracy.
“Sher-e-Bangla fought against the zamindari system to establish the rights of farmers, workers, and ordinary people, while Suhrawardy played a vital role in laying the foundation of democracy in the country. Remembering them, NCP has begun its electoral journey,” he said.
Referring to the sacrifices of the July fighters and activist Osman Hadi, Nahid said that the upcoming election is being advanced in their spirit. He termed the polls “a journey against hegemony and for freedom.”
Outlining the party’s election agenda, Nahid said NCP has two major demands. First, a call to continue reform programmes through a “Yes” vote in the referendum and second, ensuring justice for those killed and injured during the 2024 mass movement.
He also demanded that all legal processes, including charge-sheets, be completed ahead of the election to ensure trials of those accused of crimes against humanity in July.
Nahid further announced that Nasiruddin Patwary will contest the election from Dhaka-8 constituency as the candidate of NCP and the 10-party alliance.
Urging voters nationwide to support the “Shapla Koli” symbol and the alliance, he said, “In parliament, NCP and the alliance will stand for people’s rights, reforms, justice, and the sovereignty of the country.”
“NCP wants a free, fair, and acceptable election on 12 February at any cost,” Nahid said.
He also called on the Election Commission to play a neutral role. He warned that any special advantage given to a particular party will be met with immediate protest.
