The student-citizen leadership that spearheaded Bangladesh’s largest mass uprising, known as the July Revolution, is now divided into three distinct groups. One faction is engaged with the interim government, another remains active on university campuses under the banner of the “Anti-Discrimination Student Movement,” and a third group, consisting of senior members in their late 20s and early 30s, which launched the National Citizens’ Committee (NCC) on September 8.
Initially presented as a platform for national unity, the NCC soon sparked speculation about its political aspirations. Organizers later confirmed plans to form a political party by February 2025. The committee’s membership includes individuals from diverse political affiliations, such as the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), as well as members of right-wing and left-wing factions.
The NCC has made significant strides in organizing its structure. Out of Bangladesh’s 495 upazilas and more than 600 police stations, the committee has established representatives in 89 locations, including 24 in Dhaka and 65 across the country.
When asked by The Diplomat last month if the NCC aspired to become Bangladesh’s version of the Aam Aadmi Party, convener Nasir Uddin Patwari replied, “Our best efforts will continue.”
However, the challenges are substantial. Bangladesh’s political landscape has been deeply polarized between the BNP and the Awami League for over four decades. Against this backdrop, the NCC is regarded as a nascent political entity.
The NCC was officially launched with a 55-member central body, headed by Nasir Uddin Patwari as convener, Akhtar Hossain as member secretary, and Samantha Sharmin as spokesperson. By October 3, seven Supreme Court lawyers had joined, bringing the membership to 62. Additional members were added throughout the fall, with the central committee growing to 147 by December 18.
Despite its rapid growth, the NCC has faced criticism. Opponents have accused the committee of aligning with the government, labeling it a “king’s party.” Meanwhile, some BNP (currently the largest political party in Bangladesh) leaders, including acting chairperson Tarique Rahman, have expressed cautious support for the committee’s political endeavors.
In Dhaka, the NCC is capturing political attention and sparking widespread discussion about its necessity and ideology. Samantha Sharmin, the NCC spokesperson, highlighted Bangladesh’s repeated political failures and the urgent need for a new approach in an interview with The Diplomat. “This party emerges from the aspirations of the uprising, built on the foundation of a mass movement,” she explained. “We are engaging deeply with rural communities to understand their struggles and hopes.”
Sharmin emphasized the party’s youth-driven identity, a first in Bangladesh’s political history. “Instead of adhering to rigid ideologies, we aim to unite people around the shared cause of Bangladesh’s sovereignty, even if they have different ideologies, which is central to our vision,” she said.
Sarwar Tushar, a prominent NCC member actively contributing to the intellectual foundation of the emerging political entity, elaborated on their ideological stance. He told The Diplomat, “We are moving beyond the binary politics of secularism versus Islamism that has long divided Bangladesh. Our focus is citizen-centric politics, where citizen rights are paramount, regardless of ideology. Our goal is to build a strong political community that fosters unity and lays the foundation for a truly democratic state.”
Dr. Saimum Parvez, a Bangladeshi scholar and political analyst who serves as a lecturer at DW Academy and Bonn Rhein-Sieg University, shared his insights with The Diplomat on the evolving political landscape following the July uprising. He said, “Forming a political party is a constitutional right for citizens. I appreciate that a youth-led group has come forward to initiate a political party, and most importantly, a good number of them were active participants in the July uprising. I hope they will act in line with the spirit of the uprising and uphold democratic values. In the absence of the ousted AL regime and the public rejection of AL ideology, we need a vibrant and centrist opposition that can compete with the well-established political system of the BNP. The student-led party should focus on building a strong grassroots support base. Currently, their support is primarily concentrated in urban areas and among university students. The emergence of a strong and competitive party depends on how successfully they establish a grassroots structure and coalition partners.”
Parvez also expressed concerns about the students navigating dual roles — aligning with the government while working to establish a new party. He cautioned, “This creates a potential conflict of interest. They need to ensure they do not become a ‘King’s Party.'”
Addressing criticisms, Tushar clarified, “No one is forming a party on behalf of the government. This initiative is entirely independent. In fact, we have faced significant obstacles from various political groups during our public outreach efforts. If we were backed by the government, such challenges wouldn’t arise. Criticism would be valid only if government officials joined the party, which is neither happening now nor will it happen in the future.”
The NCC recognizes the critical issue of women’s underrepresentation in politics, although fewer than 10 percent of its 147-member central committee are women. Sharmin addressed this disparity, stating, “We are striving to achieve 25 percent women’s participation, but the political culture in Bangladesh remains largely hostile to women. This is a significant concern for us.”
Sharmin, the spokesperson of NCC, emphasized that the group opposes tokenistic measures like reserved seats, advocating instead for genuine empowerment based on merit and qualifications. “To realize this goal, we must create a supportive environment where women can thrive in politics. While the harsh political landscape makes this a daunting challenge, it is a priority that demands immediate attention,” she added.
Ariful Islam Adib, the political affairs secretary of the NCC, confirmed the group’s plan to participate in the next national election. Highlighting the party’s broad appeal, he stated, “People from all walks of life who joined the uprising are now uniting with us — political, social, and cultural activists, families of the injured or martyred, and even members of existing political parties. Those from the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement can continue their political journey here, while many who were sidelined during the past fascist era are reengaging.”
Adib emphasized the strong interest from youth seeking a political alternative, along with older citizens disillusioned by unfulfilled promises of the 1990s uprisings. “This growing intergenerational involvement reflects a widespread demand for meaningful change,” he noted.
Dr. Maruf Mallick, a political analyst and prominent writer, also appreciated the new political party but emphasized that it must hold the government accountable for how leaders of the Awami League fled the country during its tenure, rather than positioning the BNP as its primary competitor. He added, “To succeed, the committee must prioritize building a grassroots base, which remains its biggest challenge.”
Considering the current landscape and challenges, Parvez suggested, “For the immediate future, NCC should work to be a strong opposition in the next election. In the short time before the election, approximately one year, if they aim for power, they may have to make many ‘short-cuts’ deals that they would regret later. Instead, they should utilize the next six years to organize their party and emerge as a formidable force in 2029. Rather than prioritizing populist policies for immediate success, they should concentrate on a long-term plan and present themselves as a viable alternative.”
When faced with continued criticism of being a “king’s party,” Parvez emphasized the importance of maintaining a visible distance from the interim government, even if it requires resignations from government positions.