The National Citizen Party on Saturday celebrated its first founding anniversary with various programmes across the country, with a vow to build a discrimination-free and democratic Bangladesh.
The party, to mark the anniversary, organised an iftar party at the Abahani Field in the capital’s Dhanmondi area, where leaders and activists of the party, families of the July movement martyrs, representatives from different political parties, and professionals attended.
A three-minute and 45-second documentary was screened at the programme, highlighting various aspects of the party’s journey, from the July movement to its emergence as a political party, its role in the reform commission and its participation in the Jatiya Sangsad elections.
Speaking on the occasion, NCP convener and opposition chief whip Nahid Islam said that the July Uprising was the root of the party.
‘Not only the NCP, but also the entire Bangladesh has gone through multidimensional experiences in the post-uprising period,’ he said.
‘Keeping that time in perspective and moving the country forward requires leadership, and the NCP, from its position, has tried to shoulder that responsibility,’ he added.
He said that the country had emerged from fascist rule and now the goal was to establish democracy fully.
‘To that end, the party would continue its movement for necessary reforms, implementation of the July Charter and enforcement of the referendum verdict,’ he said.
Referring to the upcoming local government elections, Nahid expressed hope for early polls and urged the party leaders and activists to take preparations.
Strengthening grassroots organisation is a key objective to expand political gains in the coming days, he said.
‘Although the party won six seats in the 13th Jatiya Sangsad elections, it is not satisfactory, and we will have to work towards achieving greater success in the future,’ he added.
Home minister Salahuddin Ahmed, who attended the programme, urged all political parties to remain united in the national interest despite differences and debates.
Extending greetings on the occasion of the NCP’s first founding anniversary, he said the Jatiya Sangsad would become the centre of discussion.
He also said that he, since the NCP’s inception, had been hopeful that the participation of young people would play a positive role in Bangladesh’s politics.
Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami secretary general Mia Golam Parwar, speaking at the event, said that none of the provisions of the July Charter should be dropped by the new government.
The NCP was launched on February 28, 2025, as a coordinated initiative by the student and youth leaders who spearheaded the July uprising that toppled the Awami League regime on August 5, 2024 amid a mass uprising.
