The centrist National Citizens' Party (NCP) has bypassed pure Bengali in their slogan, opting instead for "Inqilab Zindabad". Additionally, at their inaugural event, they chanted slogans like "No Compromise, Only Struggle," "Power to the People, Not to the Elites," and "No Deal-Making, Only the Streets." As their ideological foundation, they have proclaimed opposition to fascism, pluralism, and revolutionary politics. Leaders of various political parties, except for BNP, attended their founding ceremony. From the outset, BNP opposed the formation of a political party while in power. The reason being, although Nahid Islam, the convener of NCP, resigned from the interim government’s cabinet, two key think tank members—Mahfuz Alam and Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan—are still part of the administration. It is also widely believed that the head of the interim government, Professor Muhammad Yunus, strongly supports this newly-formed party.
The primary narrative of NCP is that, following the July Mass Uprising, they aim to establish Bangladesh as a Second Republic and win the Constituent Assembly elections to draft a new constitution. If they succeed, Bangladesh—founded on the spirit of the Liberation War—will become obsolete on its own. The question is, will the masses and other political parties give NCP this mandate?
During their inaugural speech, NCP called upon everyone to take an oath from their respective positions to build a new Bangladesh, unite, and march forward with unwavering determination to establish their envisioned Second Republic.
At the event on Manik Mia Avenue, Nahid Islam, the convener of NCP, declared:
"There will be no place for pro-Indian or pro-Pakistani politics in Bangladesh. We will rebuild the state with Bangladesh and its people's interests at the center."
What Does Pro-Indian and Pro-Pakistani Politics Mean? In South Asian geopolitics, the terms "pro-Indian" and "pro-Pakistani" are commonly used in the context of Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan's history, diplomacy, and internal politics.
Pro-Indian politics refers to a stance where India is seen as a strategic ally. This often supports India-Bangladesh relations, cultural and economic cooperation, regional stability, and security. During the 1971 Liberation War, India was Bangladesh’s chief ally, and thus, political forces aligned with the Liberation War are often labeled as pro-Indian.
Pro-Pakistani politics signifies a political ideology that maintains a soft stance towards Pakistan or favors strong ties with it. In Bangladesh, this label has historically been associated with those who either opposed the Liberation War in 1971 or sided with Pakistan. Traditionally, Jamaat-e-Islami and some right-wing factions have been categorized as pro-Pakistani.
NCP has stated: "We aspire to develop a political culture that fosters unity instead of division, justice instead of vengeance, and merit over dynastic rule. Corruption and nepotism will have no place in our politics."
This sounds appealing, but is it realistic? In Bangladesh, the ruling class’s primary agenda has always been to keep opposition forces under constant pressure. The question is, has NCP demonstrated in the past six months that they can truly break free from this cycle?
Nahid Islam further proclaimed: "The July 2024 Uprising was not just a victory against fascism but also an oath to build our future. Let us unite and create a Bangladesh where every citizen’s voice echoes, where justice and human rights are the cornerstones of politics, and where equality and dignity form the foundation of the state. Now is the time for new dreams, new journeys, and the making of a new Bangladesh!"
He also stated: "In our Second Republic, the voices of marginalized communities will be brought into the mainstream. The power of the republic will belong solely to the people, and safeguarding their fundamental democratic rights will be our primary political commitment. We envision a pluralistic and prosperous society that respects Bangladesh’s ethnic, social, gender, religious, and cultural diversity. Our republic will protect all citizens from poverty, inequality, and abuse of power. No segment of Bangladesh’s population will be excluded; every citizen will receive equal importance and security."
In its declaration, NCP claimed: "We will be a democratic, egalitarian, and representative political party."
A Political Dream or a Far-Fetched Illusion?
The July 2024 Mass Uprising saw significant participation from BNP and Jamaat activists, with many sacrificing their lives or suffering injuries. But how exactly will those who participated or covertly supported the movement now align with NCP? Realistically, this seems impossible. NCP's ideology is fundamentally different from BNP, Jamaat, or Hefazat. Unlike them, NCP follows centrism, rejecting any specific religious ideology in its core values. Given Bangladesh’s highly diverse political landscape, how does NCP plan to attract supporters across ideological divides? So far, no clear strategy has been presented.
Instead, NCP may find backing from some disillusioned members of the defeated Awami League, especially those who prioritize personal gain over ideological loyalty.
NCP insists: "The July 2024 Uprising marked the beginning of our fight to establish the Second Republic. We must prevent the return of constitutional autocracy by drafting a new democratic constitution through a Constituent Assembly election. A robust defense system will protect national interests, and we will rebuild political, social, economic, and cultural institutions with a strong democratic character. Only then can we emerge as a truly democratic state."
Can NCP Really Overhaul the System?
This means NCP’s ultimate political ambition is to gain power and establish the Second Republic by drafting a new constitution. Right now, this seems like pure fantasy.
Has NCP assumed that all pro-Liberation War supporters have vanished or have become a marginal force? Even if Awami League is barred from returning to power, will BNP, which claims the Liberation War legacy, sit idly by? BNP’s founder, Ziaur Rahman, was a legendary war hero. Why would they accept the dismantling of 54 years of Liberation War-based Bangladesh to create a Second Republic? If they do, wouldn’t that diminish Ziaur Rahman’s historical role?
Moreover, Jamaat-e-Islami, one of Bangladesh’s largest parties, is unlikely to accept NCP’s vision of a secular Second Republic. Their ideology revolves around Islamic governance, which is fundamentally different from NCP’s centrist approach.
Thus, NCP’s call for unity already faces a major setback. Currently, there are 54 registered political parties in Bangladesh. One party alone cannot impose a Second Republic. At least one-third of major political forces must agree. Let’s see how NCP navigates this enormous challenge.
We always welcome innovation. If a newly-formed political party can truly uphold ideals, ethics, honesty, and sacrifice, becoming the voice of the people, we will support them.
The key question remains: Can NCP rise above controversy and division to truly represent the people and the nation? We don’t want empty rhetoric. If the Second Republic genuinely benefits all citizens, we will acknowledge it. Until then, our critical skepticism will persist.
Writer: Journalist
February 28, 2025