On Friday, 28th September, at a rally organized in the capital's Manik Mia Avenue, Nahid Islam, the convenor of the newly formed National Citizen Party (NCP), presented the party's declaration. The declaration, read at the event marking the party's inception, outlined the party’s vision and mission in the context of the historic struggle for democracy in Bangladesh.

Here are the key points of the declaration:

1. Historical Struggle for Independence: The declaration begins with a historical account, referencing the rich and unique cultural heritage of the Bengali people. It acknowledges the long and arduous struggle for independence, from the colonial period under British rule to the creation of Pakistan in 1947 and the eventual liberation war of 1971 that resulted in the birth of the independent state of Bangladesh.

2. Post-Independence Struggles: Despite gaining independence, the people of Bangladesh have had to fight repeatedly for democracy. The declaration emphasizes that after the fall of military dictatorship in 1990, democracy was still not firmly established. The past 15 years, particularly, saw a brutal fascist regime that misused state institutions, suppressed opposition voices, enforced extrajudicial killings, and institutionalized corruption.

3. July 2024 Uprising and the Call for a New Political System: The declaration highlights the pivotal July 2024 uprising, in which student and public movements played a central role in the fall of a fascist government. The NCP's emergence is framed not merely as the replacement of one government with another, but as the beginning of a larger struggle to dismantle the fascist structures and build a new political system based on people's rights.

4. Establishment of the "Second Republic": The declaration proclaims that the NCP aims to build a "Second Republic" based on a democratic constitution. It asserts that the key goal is to draft a new constitution through a representative election. The party plans to establish a strong defense system and rebuild the political, social, economic, and cultural institutions, ensuring that they are rooted in democratic principles.

5. Commitment to Equality and Justice: The NCP envisions a political culture where unity replaces division, justice replaces revenge, and merit replaces family-based rule. Corruption and nepotism have no place in this new vision for the country. The party pledges to ensure that every citizen, regardless of their background, is treated equally, with their rights and freedoms guaranteed.

6. Inclusivity and Social Equity: The party aims to give a voice to marginalized communities and ensure that all citizens, especially those from oppressed backgrounds, are included in the political and social fabric. The goal is to create a society free from poverty, discrimination, and the abuse of power.

7. Economic Reform and Sustainability: The NCP advocates for an economy that is self-reliant, equitable, and sensitive to nature and the environment. The declaration stresses fair resource distribution and aims to regulate the private sector to prevent cartel-like syndicates. A key focus is on regional cooperation and international partnerships to build a sustainable economy.

8. Commitment to Justice and Human Rights: The party stresses that the July 2024 uprising is not only a victory against a fascist regime but also a pledge to build a future where every citizen's voice is heard, where justice prevails, and where human rights are at the core of the political struggle.

Final Call for Unity and Commitment: The declaration ends with a call for all citizens to unite in the fight for a better Bangladesh, the "Second Republic." It emphasizes that this new vision is not a distant dream but a collective promise to work together for a just, democratic, and prosperous Bangladesh.

Before reading the declaration, Nahid Islam, the convenor of the National Citizen Party, saluted the student and public participants of the July 2024 uprising, as well as the families of the martyrs and political leaders. He concluded by raising the slogan of the July uprising, "Who are you, who am I, alternatives, alternatives," emphasizing the birth of the new political party as an alternative to the existing system.