Bangladeshi student leader Nahid Islam has formed the National Citizens Party (NCP) to advance reforms following Sheikh Hasina’s ouster. After stepping down from an interim government, he emphasizes the need for long-term political change, regardless of immediate election outcomes. He expresses optimism about sustaining political energy for decades.
In Bangladesh, students who orchestrated the overthrow of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have formed the National Citizens Party (NCP) to pursue institutional reforms. Nahid Islam, a prominent leader of the youth-led protest movement Students Against Discrimination, resigned from an interim government to spearhead this new political initiative. He claims the current political structure shows little interest in necessary reforms, despite the sacrifices made by the youth during the uprising.
The uprising which resulted in Hasina’s ouster led to over 800 fatalities, and Nahid himself faced detention while leading protests. Following Hasina’s removal, he joined Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus’s interim government, but he believes that the NCP represents a significant political shift in Bangladesh. With upcoming elections anticipated to culminate in a victory for the long-standing Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Nahid emphasizes that forming a lasting political presence is the objective, regardless of immediate electoral success.
“Nobody knew that there would be an uprising, but it happened,” Nahid remarked. He is optimistic that their efforts will yield fruitful results, stating, “I sincerely hope and I believe that we are going to win this time. But this election is not the end of the world… Our target is to sustain this energy for another 50 or 100 or more years.”
Nahid Islam and the NCP aim to continue the momentum from the recent student-led uprising in Bangladesh, focusing on necessary political reforms. Despite stepping down from his role in the interim government, Nahid’s commitment to shaping a new political landscape remains strong. He envisions a sustained impact over the decades, regardless of the outcomes in the forthcoming elections. This shift reflects the deep-seated desire among the youth for change in Bangladesh’s political environment.
Original Source: www.thenews.com.pk
