Welcome National Citizen Party: May the path of democracy be smooth

The National Citizen Party (NCP) made its debut on Friday, March 1. The emergence of this new political party has been welcomed by the general public and other political parties in the country. Political leaders from at least 30 parties, including BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami, were present at the launching event of NCP. The country’s major political parties have welcomed the NCP’s entry into politics. According to some of the relevant leaders, the new party formed by the students who led the July uprising has now entered the political arena. The focus will now be on what activities the party undertakes and what role it plays, as its future will depend on its actions.

Despite having a multitude of political parties in Bangladesh, the democratic path of the country has not yet been smoothed. In this context, the common people's question is: Was there really a need for yet another new political party? Will this political party pave the way for a smoother democracy in the country? Almost all the leaders of this party were at the forefront of the mass uprising in July-August last year. The leaders of the new party are all young, and their main strength lies in their youthful enthusiasm and vitality. Those who have sacrificed their lives and blood for democracy, it is hoped, will help smooth the path to democracy.

However, Bangladesh is currently divided along multiple ideological lines. To create a proper and beautiful democratic environment, the first requirement is to build a tolerant society and state, irrespective of party and ideology. The new party must walk in the light of a new day. They must leave behind past bitterness and mud-slinging. Bangladesh is facing various internal and international crises. The internal crisis includes the disorder of law and order, while internationally, there are various geopolitical tensions. The leaders of the NCP have stated that they will not serve any foreign country's agenda. The party’s senior joint convener has stated that the goals and objectives they have put forward indicate a message to change Bangladesh’s political culture.

We, too, wish for a positive change in the political culture. However, this must happen spontaneously, without any force or coercion. The public’s participation should be evident in all their actions. Some statements from certain members of the newly formed party have already raised several questions. The call for a new constitution through a Constituent Assembly, the creation of a second republic, and the party's slogan "Inquilab Zindabad" have led to many questions regarding the party's intentions and future course of action. While some political analysts suggest that the party may emerge as a centrist, middle-class party signaling a shift in traditional politics, they have yet to provide a clear plan regarding the political unity needed in the country to make such changes.

We welcome the new political party. We wish for the old political culture to change with the help of the newcomers. However, they must remember that the people of Bangladesh have been suffering since independence, and it is their duty to rescue the people from this misery. As a new party and a youth-led movement, there will be greater expectations from them; consequently, they will face numerous challenges. We hope they will overcome these challenges and work towards creating a fair, beautiful, and smooth democratic path in Bangladesh.