NCP, Chhatrasangsad looking for new offices, central committees face criticism

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.

They are interested in running their own political activities from separate offices instead of the offices of the JNC and the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement at Rupayan Trade Centre at Bangla Motor in the capital.

However, until the new offices are found, the activities of the new party and student organisation will continue from those two offices. However, the NCP and the Ganotantrik Chhatrasangsad will soon find two new offices and conduct their activities from there.

Initially, the NCP leaders are looking for an office in a building at Bangla Motor or New Eskaton Road. However, they also said that if the area around the JNC office is not found, the office may be located elsewhere. On the other hand, the leaders of the Ganotantrik Chhatrasangsad are looking for a rented house near the Dhaka University campus for the central office.

However, internal sources say that the NCP is also going to absorb the more than 400 thana and district committees of JNC formed in the last six months.

JNC spokesperson and NCP senior Joint Convener Samantha Sharmin said the NCP has just formed a convening committee for a year. An office is being sought in the capital for the central office. Until then, the NCP's organisational activities will continue from the JNC office.

Abu Baker Majumder, coordinator of the Anti-discrimination Student Movement and convener of the Ganotantrik Chhatrasangsad, said as a student organisation formed based on the aspirations of the July uprising, they want to set up a central office somewhere near Dhaka University. The rest will be known in time.

Journey begins with criticism

In the party's manifesto at the launching ceremony, the NCP has brought the second republic, constituent assembly election, a new constitution, the end of the dynasty in politics, elimination of syndicates and group interests, reconstruction of collapsed institutions, progress in science and technology, a strong defense system, reconstruction of the national economy and the inclusion of backward communities in the mainstream as its main agenda. It said that they want the emergence of pro-Bangladesh politics, not India- or Pakistan-centric politics.

However, the NCP has faced intense criticism for including pro-Awami League family members and 'homosexual' people in the first convening committee.

On February 28 and March 1, the NCP announced a 216-member central committee for one year. In addition to the convener, member secretary and chief coordinator, two were appointed as senior joint conveners, 16 as joint conveners, two as senior joint member secretaries, 33 as joint member secretaries, two as chief organisers, 16 as joint chief organisers, 42 as organisers, one as senior joint chief coordinator, 23 as joint chief coordinators and 76 as members.

Muntasir Rahman, who was included in the committee, has been accused of being involved in the LGBTQ community. His inclusion has been met with criticism on social media over suspicions that he will work politically to implement the agendas of gay, lesbian, or homosexual communities.

However, the two main organisers, Sarjis Alam and Hasnat Abdullah, have made their position clear, saying that they were not aware of this and action will be taken soon. This reaction is also being identified as a weakness of the newly formed political party in progressive circles.

Although it has been alleged that many members of the committee are from families with Awami League background, the leaders of NCP did not respond.

On the other hand, after the announcement of the 205-member full convening committee of the Ganotantrik Chhatrasangsad, many people withdrew themselves citing various reasons, which also sparked discussion.

On February 28, two representatives of Rajshahi University resigned from the committee. One of them was made joint convener number six in the committee and the other joint member secretary number one. On the same day, a master's student of Eden Women's College announced her resignation under pressure from the general students. Organiser Shyamoli Sultana Jedani also resigned.

However, the Chhatrasangsad leaders say that many are unable to remain in the committee for various reasons. That does not mean that they will no longer be in this organisation. They have made themselves known through various means. The names of new members to fill the vacant positions will be announced very soon.