New political party set to launch: Student leaders secure top roles, shaping future of Bangladesh’s political landscape

The National Citizens Committee and the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement are finalizing the leadership structure for their new political party.

Key positions within the party have been mostly decided, with the top six roles set to be filled.

A "compromise" has led to the creation of two additional positions: Senior Joint Convener and Senior Joint Member Secretary, complementing the already confirmed roles of Convener, Member Secretary, Spokesperson, and Chief Organizer.

After a series of discussions and negotiations, Nahid Islam, a prominent figure from the July mass uprising, is set to take on the role of Convener. 

However, the Member Secretary position saw some disagreement, which has now largely been resolved. 

Akhtar Hossain, the current Member Secretary of the National Citizens Committee, will likely step into this critical role in the new party.

Some of the leading student figures who played key roles in the July protests are also expected to hold top positions. 

The Chief Organizer and Spokesperson roles are anticipated to be filled by Sarjis Alam and Hasnat Abdullah, respectively. 

These roles will be crucial as the party plans its official launch on February 26.

A meeting of more than 100 leaders from both the National Citizens Committee and the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement took place on February 21, 2025, at the committee‍‍`s central office in Banglamotor. 

During the meeting, the preparations for the party‍‍`s inauguration were discussed, including the division of responsibilities for organizing the event. 

Although the official name of the new party is yet to be finalized, it is expected to be revealed soon.

The party’s leadership is looking at other significant roles, too, with key figures like Spokesperson Samantha Sharmin, Joint Convener Sarwar Tushar, and Joint Member Secretaries Onik Ray and Mahbub Alam likely to hold prominent positions. 

Additionally, Abdul Hannan Masud, the Chief Organizer of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, is expected to play a vital role in the new political entity.

The date of February 26 is being marked for the official launch of the new political party, and it is expected to be a key moment in shaping the future political dynamics in Bangladesh. 

However, the event will not include a large gathering at the moment.

Sources from both the National Citizens Committee and Anti-Discrimination Student Movement also indicated that talks with former leaders of the Islami Chhatra Shibir are ongoing. 

Ali Ahsan Jonayed, a former president of the Dhaka University branch of Chhatra Shibir, could be appointed Senior Joint Convener.

Furthermore, Nasiruddin Patwari, the Convener of the National Citizens Committee, is under consideration for the Senior Joint Member Secretary role.

There had been tensions regarding the Member Secretary position, especially with some former leaders of Chhatra Shibir seeking to secure this role. 

This situation had created a stir within the leadership circles of the committee. 

Prothom Alo reported earlier that a Facebook debate broke out over the issue, as some former Shibir leaders started showcasing their involvement in the July uprising. 

In response, Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, a senior leader from the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, cautioned against distorting the history of the uprising.

In an effort to unify the group and move forward, the leadership has worked out a compromise. 

Ali Ahsan Jonayed, while a prominent figure, will now likely be given the Senior Joint Convener role, and the dispute over the Member Secretary position has been settled, with Akhtar Hossain now the likely candidate. 

This compromise is expected to bring stability to the group as they prepare for the launch of the new party.

Meanwhile, the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement is not just focusing on the political party. 

The leaders behind the movement are also planning to create a new student organization, one that they say will operate independently from the new political party. 

They clarified that this student organization would not be affiliated with any political party, even though some see it as the student wing of the new party.

During a press conference on February 17, 2025, held in front of Dhaka University‍‍`s Madhu‍‍`s Canteen, seven coordinators from the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement revealed the core values for the new student organization: “Students First” and “Bangladesh First.” 

The organization‍‍`s primary objective is to advocate for students‍‍` rights while ensuring that they remain apolitical.

As of now, the leadership positions for the new student organization have been tentatively filled by Abu Bakir Majumder and Zahid Ahsan, both former coordinators of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement. 

They are expected to assume the central roles of the new organization. Additionally, Abdul Kader and Sanjana Afifa Aditi are expected to lead the Dhaka University branch. 

These leaders, who gained attention during the July uprising, will play pivotal roles as they aim to create a new platform for students.

In the coming weeks, the newly-formed student organization will seek to expand, forming additional committees at universities and colleges across Bangladesh. 

While the name of the organization has not been finalized, the leadership is keen to engage with students across Dhaka and beyond, aiming to ensure the movement‍‍`s broad support. 

The organization‍‍`s formal launch will take place soon, with the expectation that it will actively participate in the upcoming Dhaka University Central Students‍‍` Union (DUCSU) elections in April or May.

Rifat Rashid, a key member of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, shared those further consultations with stakeholders are ongoing, and feedback is being gathered from students at seven major government colleges in Dhaka, as well as private universities.

The group is committed to ensuring broad support before officially announcing the student organization.

These developments mark a significant shift in Bangladesh’s political landscape, with former student leaders now stepping into the limelight to potentially reshape the future of the country’s political environment. 

The new political party and student organization’s launch will undoubtedly influence the way politics and student movements operate in Bangladesh in the coming years.

Source: Prothom Alo