Leaders of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement and the National Citizen Committee are spending busy time with the launch of a new political party led by young leaders from the student-citizen uprising. Politically aware individuals are highly curious about who will assume leadership in this new party. It has been confirmed that the young leaders who became familiar faces during the uprising will be at the forefront of the party's leadership.
Reportedly, the top six positions of the new party are almost finalized. Two new positions are being created in the party's organizational structure based on "consensus." Alongside the Convener, Member Secretary, Spokesperson, and Chief Organizer, there will now be positions for Senior Joint Convener and Senior Joint Member Secretary.
There has been no opposition from leaders of the National Citizen Committee and the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement regarding Nahid Islam's nomination as the party's Convener from the beginning. The primary debate was over the Member Secretary post, which, through consensus, is likely to go to Akhtar Hossain, currently the Member Secretary of the National Citizen Committee.
Nahid Islam may resign from his interim government advisory role at any time to assume the Convener’s responsibilities. Sarjis Alam and Hasnat Abdullah are expected to become the party's Chief Organizer and Spokesperson, respectively.
In collaboration with former student wing leaders from the National Citizen Committee, Ali Ahsan Zunaed (former president of the Dhaka University branch of the student wing) is being considered for Senior Joint Convener. Nasiruddin Patwari, the current Convener of the National Citizen Committee, is likely to assume the Senior Joint Member Secretary post.
Beyond the top six positions, key roles may go to National Citizen Committee spokesperson Samanta Sharmin, Joint Conveners Sarwar Tushar, Tasnim Jara, Ariful Islam Adib, and Joint Member Secretaries Anik Roy, Mahbub Alam, and Aulik Mri. Abdul Hannan Masud, Chief Organizer of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, might also hold an important position.
The new political party is expected to officially launch on February 26, potentially with an announcement at Manik Mia Avenue in the capital.
A senior leader of the Citizen Committee stated that the committee aims to work inclusively, resulting in a mutual understanding regarding the top posts of the new political party. Based on this consensus, Ali Ahsan Zunaed's name is almost finalized for Senior Joint Convener.
Additionally, a new student organization, initiated by former coordinators of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, is set to launch this week. Some perceive this group as the student wing of the newly formed political party by the National Citizen Committee.
Abu Bakr Majumdar and Zahid Ahsan, both former coordinators of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, are likely to assume the top two positions of the student organization's central committee. Abdul Kader and Sanjana Afifa Aditi may lead the Dhaka University branch.
On February 17, at a press conference in front of the Dhaka University Madhur Canteen, at least seven coordinators from the July mass uprising shared details about this new student organization. Their policies will prioritize "Students First" and "Bangladesh First," focusing on student and citizen interests without direct ties to the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement.
Two senior leaders of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement confirmed that Abu Bakr Majumdar and Zahid Ahsan are almost certain to become the central Convener and Member Secretary of the new student organization. The next two significant positions may be filled by Tahmid Al Mudassir Chowdhury and Rifat Rashid—all students of Dhaka University and former coordinators of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement. Zahid Ahsan currently serves as Secretary of the Movement’s Central Office Cell, while Rifat Rashid is a member of its Executive Committee.
Bd-pratidin English/Tanvir Raihan
