The National Citizen Party is set to unveil its new programme, including a manifesto outlining its vision for a ‘New Bangladesh’, at a public rally today at the Central Shaheed Minar in Dhaka.
At a press conference at the NCP temporary office in the city on Saturday, party convener Nahid Islam said that the July mass uprising had not merely been a call for a regime change, but a reflection of the people’s deeper aspirations.
He said that the NCP remained committed to fulfilling those aspirations through a long-term inclusive agenda focused on reform and national progress.
Nahid said that the event would outline the NCP’s blueprint for political restructuring, state reform, and a comprehensive roadmap aimed at realising the vision of a new Bangladesh.
He said that the NCP’s month-long July March campaign, which began on July 1, reached 59 districts across the country.
Through this campaign, he went on to say, party leaders engaged in dialogues with families of those martyred and injured in the 2024 uprising and students and citizens.
The feedback and aspirations known from people will form the basis of the party’s political outline, to be officially declared at today’s event, which will also mark the formal conclusion of the July March, Nahid said.
Referring to government efforts, he said that the NCP had learned of the state’s intention to announce a ‘July declaration’ on August 5 in coordination with all relevant parties and stakeholders involved in the previous year’s uprising, which he welcomed.
Nahid also recalled that on August 3, 2024, a single-point demand was issued calling for the ouster of a fascist regime and the establishment of a new political order.
‘Although the government has changed, the fascist structure remains intact. This is why our political struggle for a complete transformation of the system must continue,’ he said.
Nahid said that the implementation and legal basis of the proposed July Charter remained unclear.
He insisted that the next parliament must be formed based on the July Charter, rather than relying on the traditional electoral process under the current constitutional framework.
Replying to a question, Nahid called for strict actions against those involved in extortion, including the coordinators of the Students Against Discrimination movement.
He said that such individuals must be brought to justice and confirmed that his own party was taking internal measures to prevent infiltration.
Extortion has occurred under the banner of student activism as well as by elements from political parties.
He stressed the need for united efforts to eliminate extortion, violence, and corruption from the country.
A central leader of the party told ¶¶Òõ¾«Æ· that a draft manifesto was prepared with a focus on building a strong democratic state, accommodating a diverse political community, and embracing a Bangladesh-centric approach.
A political party manifesto is a public declaration of a party’s principles, goals and plans and it outlines what the party promises to do if it is elected to power, he said.
The draft manifesto says that the party is determined to abolish autocracy, dynastic rule, and fascist structures to fulfil the July uprising aspirations for a welfare-oriented second republic.
To achieve the goal, the party will write a new constitution that ensures a clear separation and balance of powers among the pillars of the state and guarantees the fundamental rights of all citizens, says the draft manifesto, adding that the party will build a new Bangladesh based on equality, human dignity and social justice.
About democracy and good governance, it says that the party aims to build a just state where state institutions are impartial, humane, and people-oriented, regardless of nationality, religion or ethnicity.
The party will make local government the central point of local development and ensure participation of local people in formulating development plans, preparing budgets, and executing public procurement at the local level to bring an end to the abuse of power by the members of the parliament.
The NCP will put an end to the abuse of state resources, corruption, favouritism, impunity, and delays in the justice system to ensure swift trials and the highest punishment for all forms of corruption, according the manifesto.
The NCP is also committed to ensuring trials and punishment for all crimes committed during the July massacre and under the Awami League regime.
Besides, the draft manifesto also emphasises on ensuring, among others, women’s rights and empowerment; the religious, ethnic and cultural rights of all people; inclusive economic development and dignified employment; an effective education sector; healthcare and social protection; modern agriculture and food sovereignty; climate-resilient infrastructure, planned urbanisation and environmental protection; expatriate partnership in nation-building; and a sovereign Bangladesh and a self-respecting foreign policy.