Bangladesh will see the launch of the National Citizen Party (NCP), led by students from the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, following a successful uprising that ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The NCP expects significant turnout at its inauguration, with support from interim Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus and various political leaders. This event occurs amid ongoing unrest and public safety concerns in the country.
On Friday, Bangladesh will witness the launch of a student-led political party, the National Citizen Party (NCP), amidst ongoing political unrest. This initiative stems from the 2024 student movement that effectively ended the rule of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The party is spearheaded by significant figures from the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement (SAD), who were central to the recent mass uprising that resulted in the removal of Hasina’s government on August 5, 2024.
The launch event will be held at Manik Mia Avenue in central Dhaka, with expectations of approximately 300,000 attendees, including students from all 64 districts of Bangladesh. A spokesperson for the NCP expressed that families of victims from the preceding protests would also participate. Key political figures, including the interim administration’s Chief Adviser, Muhammad Yunus, have endorsed this new party, and Yunus has been invited to the inauguration.
High-profile attendees are expected, comprising leaders from various political factions including Khaleda Zia of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and others from both rightist and leftist groups. The BNP has previously voiced concerns regarding the impartiality of Yunus’s interim leadership, particularly about his support for the NCP while maintaining advisers from their party in his administration.
The political climate has intensified since protests erupted on February 5, following incidents of violence connected to the Awami League. Nearly 8,600 arrests have taken place during a government crackdown dubbed ‘Operation Devil Hunt,’ aimed at gangs linked to the ousted regime. This crackdown has contributed to rising crime rates across the capital, Dhaka, leading to increased public concern.
The launch of the National Citizen Party represents a significant shift in Bangladesh’s political landscape, following a year of turmoil and student activism leading to the fall of the previous government. With strong backing from influential leaders and widespread participation anticipated at the inaugural event, the NCP aims to establish itself as a formidable force in the upcoming political climate. This development occurs within a context of heightened unrest and security challenges, indicating a critical turning point for the nation.
Original Source: kashmirobserver.net
