Around 3,000 leaders and activists joined the National Citizen Party (NCP) yesterday, claimed the party.

Among them were former Jubo Dal leader Mohammad Ishaq Sarker; Fersamin Huq Iqbal, granddaughter of AK Fazlul Huq; content creator Nuruzzaman Kafi; and activist Mohiuddin Rony.

They formally joined the party at a programme held at the auditorium of the Institution of Diploma Engineers in Kakrail in the capital.

At the event, Convener Nahid Islam and other senior NCP leaders welcomed the new members with flowers after announcing their names.

Nahid said Fersamin joined the party at the central level and will work in Barishal. He also welcomed Nuruzzaman Kafi and Mohiuddin Rony, saying they would all work together in the party.

Nahid, also the opposition chief whip at the parliament, specially welcomed Ishaq Sarker, a former Jubo Dal leader expelled from the BNP, noting that many of his followers had also joined the NCP.

He described Ishaq as the main attraction, citing his leadership roles in Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal and Jubo Dal and his involvement in anti-fascist movements.

“Ishaq is an inspiration who has stood with the people and the youth,” Nahid said, adding that around 3,000 of his followers joined the party.

Speaking at the programme, Nahid said the NCP aims to reorganise the country in line with people’s aspirations for change and reform.

“Before the election, we told people that this election was meant to change the country. But after coming to power, the government denied the referendum and turned it into a routine transfer of power,” he said.

He alleged that reform initiatives were being scrapped and criticised what he described as renewed politicisation of institutions.

“We are seeing bank looters being allowed to return. Institutions are being politicised, and in universities, muscle power and partisan politics are re-emerging,” he said.

Calling for local government polls, Nahid said youth would dominate the upcoming elections.

“There will be a victory of the youth in local government elections, with the support of the NCP,” he said.

NCP spokesperson Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain, Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary, Chief Organiser (North) Sarjis Alam, and other senior leaders were present.

Earlier, on April 19, 44 leaders from the Amar Bangladesh Party (AB Party), United Peoples Bangladesh (UP Bangladesh), and the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement joined the NCP. Most were activists of UP Bangladesh, a platform formed by former Islami Chhatra Shibir leaders.