The Jatiya Nagorik Party (NCP) has announced a bold political agenda centered on sweeping reforms, national unity, and a new constitution, aiming to replace what it describes as authoritarian governance with a participatory and equitable democratic system.
In a social media statement released today, NCP Convener Nahid Islam declared that the party's platform draws inspiration from the 1971 Liberation War and the 2024 mass movement, advocating for a return to the founding principles of justice, equality, and human dignity.
“Our republic must reflect the spirit of the Liberation War—not only in history but in structure,” Nahid wrote. “To truly liberate the state from authoritarianism, we must begin with foundational reform and the creation of a fresh constitutional framework.”
The NCP stressed that the dismantling of the current “fascist” political order is its primary mission. The party emphasized that only through root-level transformation of governance and law can Bangladesh build institutions that are transparent, accountable, and inclusive.
The proposed new constitution, according to the party, would lay the groundwork for a more democratic republic that empowers its citizens, rather than concentrates authority in a central regime.
Taking a unique stance on national identity, the NCP advocated for what it described as a “civilizational” identity rooted in the pluralist heritage of the Bengal delta. The party rejected both hardline secularism and theocracy, favoring a model of religious coexistence and civic equality.
“We uphold the spiritual values of Islam, the faith of the majority,” the statement read, “but also defend the religious and cultural freedoms of all communities, recognizing the historic contributions of minority groups in building our shared society.”
The NCP also aligned itself with historic struggles against colonialism and caste, describing its mission as a continuation of these legacies through modern governance.
Social welfare and economic equity were prominent in the NCP’s roadmap. The party proposed expanded state investments in education, healthcare, agriculture, urban infrastructure, labor rights, and employment generation.
It also introduced the idea of a Bay of Bengal Economic Zone, positioning Bangladesh as a regional trade and innovation hub. The plan envisions coastal economic development linked to global trade routes, emphasizing sustainable growth.
One of the cornerstones of NCP’s platform is the empowerment of women. The party vowed to guarantee women equal access to education, security, employment, leadership roles, and inheritance.
“Women's dignity and participation are non-negotiable,” Nahid stated. “We aim to remove barriers to their advancement in both private and public life.”
In foreign affairs, the NCP took a firm stance against what it labeled “regional dominance and cultural encroachment”. Without naming India directly in some parts, the statement nonetheless criticized Hindutva-driven regional policies, which the party claimed pose ideological and strategic threats to Bangladesh’s sovereignty.
“Strategic partnerships must be based on equality, mutual respect, and national interest—not submission to regional hegemony,” the party asserted.
The overarching message of the NCP’s declaration was a total transformation of the Bangladeshi state—politically, socially, and economically. It proposed a governance model rooted in anti-corruption, justice, and democratic participation, pledging to build a society reflective of its people's historic struggles and contemporary aspirations.
Political observers note that while the NCP remains a relatively new actor, its ambitious reform agenda could resonate with voters disillusioned by existing political structures. Whether the vision translates into electoral traction remains to be seen.
