Student leaders who played a key role in last year’s mass uprising, which led to the removal of the Awami League government, are expected to announce the formation of a new political party on 24 February.
According to members of the Jatiya Nagorik Committee’s executive body, the announcement will take place during an event at Central Shaheed Minar in Dhaka.
A preparatory committee has already been established, consisting of 70 members from the Nagorik Committee and 30 from the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, sources confirmed.
Speaking to The Business Standard on 16 February, Nagorik Committee spokesperson Samantha Sharmin said, “We have discussed a possible date, and a general meeting was held today. A preparatory committee is being formed, and an official announcement will be made soon.”
Addressing ongoing discussions on social media regarding the party formation, Sharmin emphasized that the Nagorik Committee was created to bring together individuals with diverse opinions, acting as a “laboratory for reconciliation.” She warned against airing internal disagreements publicly, stating that doing so on Facebook reflects organisational shortsightedness.
When asked about the possibility of two separate parties emerging from the movement, she responded, “Everyone has the right to form a party, and there is no illegality in doing so. However, the public hopes for a unified pro-uprising party to establish a new political direction in the country.”