The National Citizen Party (NCP) has unveiled its 24-point manifesto for “New Bangladesh”, calling for the formation of a “Second Republic” and the adoption of a new constitution.
NCP Convener Nahid Islam announced the manifesto at a rally held at the Central Shaheed Minar Sunday.
The manifesto also includes recognising and seeking justice for the July uprising, along with reforms to democracy and state institutions. Other major priorities include ensuring a fair judiciary and legal system, building a service-oriented and corruption-free administration, and creating people-friendly law enforcement agencies.
Commitments also cover youth employment, a welfare-based economy, sustainable agriculture, labour rights, diaspora engagement, and climate resilience. Additionally,the document calls for a Bangladesh-centric foreign policy and a comprehensive national defense strategy.
The manifesto further promises grassroots empowerment through village parliaments and stronger local government, along with a free press and a vibrant civil society. It emphasises universal healthcare, education reforms for nation-building, and a revolution in research, innovation, and technology.
Paying tribute to those martyred and injured during the July Uprising, Nahid said,
“On this day last year, from this very Shaheed Minar, we declared the historic one-point demand to abolish fascism. This one-point demand was not announced by any individual, party, or organisation.”
“It was proclaimed on behalf of the people of Bangladesh—by the uprising students and masses. The true proclaimers of the one-point demand are the people of Bangladesh, the uprising student masses, and the martyred brothers and sisters,” he added.
The NCP Convener said, “We announced a politics of responsibility and empathy. We declared our commitment to equality, human dignity, and social justice. We pledged to establish a political system in which authoritarianism can never return.”
“In the July march, we said across various parts of the country that while the fascist government has fallen, we have yet to dismantle the fascist framework,” he said.
Earlier, the party's Senior Joint Member-Secretary Tasnim Jara said the NCP will build a healthcare system where no one is denied treatment due to lack of money.
Addressing the rally, she said their goal is to establish a health system where every citizen's medical records are digitally stored. She emphasised the importance of strengthening primary healthcare.
Jara also said that their politics is focused on solving problems. "The economy will be welfare-oriented, ensuring dignified jobs and meaningful employment opportunities for all," she added.
"We will reform the tax structure to eliminate the gap between the rich and the poor."
Senior Joint Chief Coordinator Abdul Hannan Masud said the NCP is not weak and they will fight wholeheartedly for the country and its people.
"Even after a year, I see that our emotional core – the words coordinator, anti-discrimination -- is being targeted and discredited. But I take pride in my identity as a coordinator. Those who try to make it controversial, we will stand up and fight against them," he said.
The NCP begun its rally around 4pm at the Central Shaheed Minar in Dhaka, centring on the announcement of its "Manifesto of New Bangladesh."
NCP Chief Coordinator Nasir Uddin Patwary, Chief Organiser (south) Hasnat Abdullah, Chief Organiser (north) Sarjis Alam, Senior Joint Chief Coordinator Abdul Hannan Masud, Senior Joint Conveners Monira Sharmin and Samantha Sharmin, Joint Member Secretary Akram Hossain joined the rally.
Processions of leaders and activists from various districts, metropolitan and upazila units were seen arriving under banners of NCP, NCP labour wing and the Bangladesh Gonotantrik Chhatra Sangsad.
Many activists were seen carrying party flags, banners and festoons.
A police control room has been set up by the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) on the grounds of Kazi Motahar Hossain Building at Dhaka University, adjacent to the Shaheed Minar.
Additionally, RAB has established its own control room to ensure comprehensive security at the event.
Regular police, members of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit, K-9 (dog squad) and the Dhaka Metropolitan Police's bomb disposal unit have been deployed.
Heavy police presence has been observed at every entry point to the rally venue.
