New political platform Janajatra to be launched

A new political platform named Janajatra is set to be launched by several leaders who resigned from the National Citizen Party, NCP, along with student leaders who were active in the July mass uprising.

Sources said the platform is likely to be officially announced on January 16 at the Central Shaheed Minar in Dhaka.

Former NCP joint convener Anik Roy, former joint member secretary Tuhin Khan and former coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement Nazifa Jannat are expected to hold key roles in the new platform. Meghmollar Bosu, president of the Dhaka University unit of Bangladesh Chhatra Union, is also expected to join Janajatra.

According to the organisers, the aim is to introduce an alternative and different form of political practice in the country.

Meghmollar Bosu said preparations had been under way for a long time to create a platform to speak for oppressed people. He confirmed that the platform would be formally launched on January 16 and that its name would be Janajatra.

The leaders plan to turn the platform into a full-fledged political party within six months to one year after the 13th parliamentary election. Before that, political and economic programmes will be finalised, while work on the party constitution is currently in progress.

Anik Roy said the platform is being shaped through discussions with activists, student leaders and people from different backgrounds who have been involved in various movements. He added that many more people would join after the formal announcement, including student union leaders and figures who played key roles in the July uprising.