Dhaka: National Citizen Party (NCP) has urged the interim government to take effective move to immediately suspend the organizational activities of the Jatiya Party, accusing it of acting as a political front for Awami League and legitimizing a series of illegal elections. The party also reiterated its demand that the next national election must be a Constituent Assembly election to pave the way for drafting a new constitution, aiming to resolve the long-standing political crisis rooted in centralized and authoritarian governance.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, NCP Senior Joint Convenor Ariful Islam Adeeb expressed these concerns after meeting with Chief Adviser Prof. Dr. Muhammad Yunus. Adeeb asserted that Jatiya Party candidates were clearly identified as 'Awami League-nominated' during recent elections, blurring distinctions between the two parties. He pointed out that the government, through the July Declaration, acknowledged the illegality of the last three national elections, in which the Jatiya Party participated, thus legitimizing a fascist regime.
The NCP emphasized that the Jatiya Party's campaign posters openly labeled their candidates as 'Awami League-nominated,' underscoring the lack of distinction between the Jatiya Party and the Awami League. Adeeb argued that, given the suspension of Awami League's activities and Jatiya Party's alignment with a banned organization, the latter's organizational activities should also be suspended immediately.
The NCP delegation, which included other senior members, highlighted five critical issues during their briefing, including addressing the rehabilitation of martyrs and injured individuals, the release of detained comrades abroad, and the implementation of the Disappearance Commission's report. They also stressed the importance of steering the upcoming election toward a Constituent Assembly election for drafting a new constitution.
The NCP expressed concern about the detention of comrades abroad, particularly in the UAE, and urged the government to assist in resolving these legal complications. On the matter of enforced disappearances, the party called for the full implementation of the Disappearance Commission report, demanding action against state agency members implicated in these cases.
Acknowledging the government's initiative to reinstate university student union elections, the NCP emphasized the necessity for these elections to be free and fair. The party also urged the Election Commission to reconsider voting eligibility to include those turning 18 by February, who actively participated in the uprising, to vote in the upcoming election.
Expressing alarm over entrenched establishment elements undermining democracy, the NCP highlighted concerns about attacks on opposition leaders and unsolved murder cases linked to the Awami League. They called for coordinated legal actions to bring perpetrators to justice.
Reiterating their stance, the NCP demanded that the next national election be a Constituent Assembly election to establish a new constitutional framework and address the country's enduring political challenges. Adeeb concluded with a resolute call for a Constituent Assembly election, emphasizing the party's consistent demand for a new constitutional framework.