Senior reporter
The newly formed political party National Citizen Party (NCP), formed by a section of the Jatiya Nagarik Committee (JNC) and the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, and student organisation Bangladesh Ganotantrik Chhatrasangsad are looking for new offices.
On February 25 and 26, 2009, shortly after the newly elected Awami League government took office, one of the most heinous massacres in the country's history took place at the headquarters of the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR), now known as the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), in Pilkhana, Dhaka. On that day, 74 people, including 57 army officers, were brutally killed.
A growing rift over the leadership structure in a new political party, formed by student and youth activists, has sparked controversy within the National Citizens Committee and the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement.
Amid ongoing debates on whether the national or local government elections should be held first, the Election System Reform Commission has proposed conducting all local government elections first under a caretaker government, followed by the national elections. The commission has recommended setting the tenure of the caretaker government at four months to complete all elections within this period.
A new political party, spearheaded by the leaders of the July mass movement and the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement along with the National Citizens’ Committee, is likely to be launched in the last week of this month. The party aims to ensure seamless public services without any administrative hassles.
Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was forced to give up power after 15 and a half years in the face of a mass movement by students on this day just six months ago (August 5). She left for India.