The young leaders who spearheaded the mass uprising that led to Sheikh Hasina’s downfall are now forming a new political party. The party, named the National Citizens Party (NCP), is set to be officially launched today. A grand gathering is scheduled for 3 PM at Manik Mia Avenue in Dhaka to mark its inception.

Interim government legal advisor Dr. Asif Nazrul shared a Facebook post today regarding the party’s launch. He recalled a past moment, writing, “After the fraudulent 2024 election, I was deeply disheartened. One day, Akhtar visited the law department. I had once convinced him to return to Dhaka and complete his master’s degree. Yet, even after that, he showed no intention of leaving campus.”

He continued, “One day, Akhtar stopped my car and greeted me. He stood hesitantly for a while, which annoyed me. I became even more irritated when he said he was leaving Nur-Rashed’s group to form a new organization!”

Reflecting on his initial reaction, he wrote, “I asked him, ‘Another new party? How many times do you want to get beaten?’ He lowered his head and smiled faintly. I couldn’t decipher the meaning of that strange smile. Without much conversation, I went home. A few days later, I saw a bloodied image of him after being attacked by student league members. My heart filled with sorrow and frustration. Did he not realize that all this effort would lead nowhere?”

Dr. Nazrul admitted, “I was the one who didn’t understand. Just months after forming their organization, they achieved the impossible—they toppled the all-powerful, ruthless autocrat, Sheikh Hasina. Nahid, from Akhtar’s organization, emerged as the chief leader of the mass uprising. During the turbulent July days, he became the leader for me and millions like me. Later, I worked alongside Nahid in the new government, and time and again, I was astonished by his competence, restraint, personality, and remarkable maturity.”

The legal advisor further shared, “Nahid lives next door to me. On the night he resigned from the government, I stood for a long time, staring at the green lawn of his house. Attachment is a strange thing!”

He concluded with a note of encouragement: “Today, Nahid and Akhtar embark on a new journey. Their party is the realization of the hopes of the student and youth movement of the July uprising. My prayers and best wishes to the National Citizens Party.”