Jatiya Nagorik Party (NCP) convenor Md Nahid Islam has cautioned that the country is once again witnessing political tactics reminiscent of the previous Awami League era, accusing major parties of reviving old polarising narratives ahead of the national election.
Speaking at a prayer gathering at the party’s Banglamotor office on Monday, held to mark the release of Bangladeshi expatriates detained in the United Arab Emirates during the July uprising, Nahid said competing political blocs were once again resorting to identity-driven rhetoric.
According to him, one side is “manufacturing a divide through the Liberation War narrative,” while another is “weaponising religion.” Such tactics, he argued, risk dragging the country back into entrenched divisions rather than guiding it toward a new political direction.
Nahid said the coming election would determine whether Bangladesh simply undergoes a change in leadership or embarks on a transformative reform path. He appealed to voters to endorse the proposed reforms through the simultaneous referendum, insisting that the ballot represents more than a choice of government.
“A yes vote signals support for structural change, while a no vote stands against reform,” he said, urging citizens not to fall into what he described as the traps of groups aligned with the former authoritarian order.
The NCP convenor also highlighted the party’s efforts to secure the release of expatriates detained in the UAE, saying 24 of the final 25 remaining prisoners have now been freed and are expected to return home soon. He expressed condolences for the families’ long wait and honoured the detainees as courageous individuals who took risks in countries where public protest is prohibited.
Nahid called on the government to ensure full rehabilitation and social protection for the returnees, noting that one detainee died in custody. He urged that the deceased’s family be recognised as that of a martyr.
Emphasising the importance of supporting migrant workers, he said the NCP’s Diaspora Alliance would continue pushing for the rights of overseas Bangladeshis, whose remittances significantly contribute to the national economy. He also welcomed the interim government’s move to include expatriates in the electoral process, describing it as a milestone.
Nahid reaffirmed that the July uprising was a collective movement involving students, workers, and diverse political forces, not solely those tied to the NCP. He accused some factions of attempting to revive old “Liberation War versus anti-Liberation” and “Islam versus anti-Islam” narratives that undermine the uprising’s intentions.
Pledging to serve as the “guardian of reforms,” the NCP leader vowed that his party would contest the polls with a commitment to preserving the uprising’s spirit and honouring its sacrifices. He also prayed for the recovery of BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, praising her long-standing contributions to the country’s democratic struggle.
NCP Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary, Senior Joint Convener Samanta Sharmin, and Jatiya Jubo Shakti Member Secretary Dr Zahidur Rahman were present at the event.
Speaking to reporters, Nasiruddin Patwary reiterated the party’s respect for Khaleda Zia, saying her leadership exemplifies the democratic path. He cautioned opposition parties against relying on what he termed “external prescriptions,” adding that both the Awami League and the Jatiyo Party share responsibility for Khaleda Zia’s current condition.
He urged the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami to adopt a unified approach regarding the Jatiyo Party as the election approaches. Nasiruddin criticised attempts to frame the polls as a conflict between supporters and opponents of Islam, stressing that the NCP rejects religiously divisive politics.
Citing warnings from senior political figures, he said Bangladesh is facing a deepening political crisis and questioned whether internal or external forces are undermining state security. On the law ministry’s recent remarks that BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman is free to return to Bangladesh, he called for clarity regarding the security concerns surrounding his possible return.
