Bangladesh student protesters prepare to enter election arena with new party

Bangladesh student protesters prepare to enter election arena with new party

The movement spearheaded by students that led to the ouster of Prime Minister Hasina has left many believing that a youth-led political party could reshape Bangladesh’s political landscape; the idea is rapidly gaining traction as the student leaders prepare to launch a new political party this month.

Mohammad Ali, a 27-year-old schoolteacher from Bangladesh’s Lakshmipur district, has possessed his National Identity Card (NID) ever since he turned 18. But he has never cast a vote.

In the 2018 national election, Awami League (AL) leaders forced out voters who were not aligned with the ruling party, barring him from the ballot box, says Mr. Ali.

In January 2024, when major political parties, including the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), boycotted the national election, he stayed home, unwilling to take part in a process that he saw as predetermined.

Mr. Ali does not align with any existing political party, nor does he trust them anymore. But after the July-August student-led uprising that ousted Sheikh Hasina from power, he believes it is time for something new.

“I saw the existing parties fail us again and again,” Mr. Ali said. “For 16 years, they could not remove Hasina. We lost so much in that time. But in the end, it was the students who reignited our hope. If they form a political party, I will vote for them.”

His uptake echoes thousands across the country. The uprising, spearheaded by students but supported by opposition groups, has left many believing that a youth-led political party could reshape Bangladesh’s political landscape.

The movement is rapidly gaining traction as student leaders and former protest organisers-turned-advisers prepare to officially launch a new political party this month. Initially, they formed the Jatiya Nagorik Committee (JNC), a platform designed as a pressure group that brought together people from diverse backgrounds and political ideologies.

Now, as they take the next step toward formalising their party, they already wield significant grassroots influence under the banners of the JNC and the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement (ADSM).

As part of organisational expansion, the JNC has already formed 90 more local committees across the country between January 11 and February 1. With this expansion, the JNC now has representative committees in 257 localities across the country.

On the other hand, the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement (ADSM) has so far established committees in more than 30 districts and several university and colleges.

Although they are yet to finalise the ideology of the new party, the JNC’s member secretary said, within February, a centrist political party will be launched in collaboration with the ADSM.

Meanwhile, coordinators of ADSM announced at a press conference on Monday that they are going to form a new student organisation with the slogan “Student first, Bangladesh first”.

A central committee member of the JNC, speaking on condition of anonymity, said: “The policy-making forum has chosen Nahid Islam as convener. If he steps down from his advisory role in the interim government, he will lead the new party — that is our plan”.

“While a few members pushed for an alternative choice, most backed Akhter Hossain, the current member secretary of the Jatiya Nagorik Committee, to retain the same role in the new party.”, he added.

Nazmul Islam, a political analyst and Head of Türkiye, Asia, and Indo-Pacific Studies at Ankara Yildirim Beyazit University, believes transforming a movement into a political party is no easy feat. “Leading protests is one thing, but building a sustainable political organisation is a much bigger challenge,” he noted.

Challenges ahead

After Muhammad Yunus took charge of the interim government, the student group found themselves in a strained relationship with the BNP, disagreeing over multiple issues.

However, no such tensions were observed with the Jamaat-e-Islami. In fact, on several occasions, both groups appeared to support each other, fueling speculation that the student-led party could align with Jamaat to challenge the BNP in the coming national election.

“The biggest challenge for this student-led party will be navigating its relationship with established political forces like the BNP and Jamaat. While it is likely to gain traction among the urban middle class, expanding its reach to the working class and the elite will require a well-crafted strategy.”, Mr. Nazmul Islam said.

He points out that while such short-term alliances may help, they are unlikely to cement the party’s long-term dominance.

“If this party aspires to be a major political force, it must remain active and consistent for at least 10 to 15 years,” he added.

Dr. Mubashar Hasan, a political analyst and Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Oslo, believes the student-led party will introduce fresh perspectives into national politics. However, he doesn’t think they would seek an alliance with Jamaat-e Islami.

“One of their biggest contributions will be shaping public discourse around politics in a way we haven’t seen before,” Mr. Hassan said.

The BNP welcome’s the protest leaders’ bid to form a new party, but with riders.

“As a democratic party, the BNP welcomes this new party led by students. However, such a party must act as a real and honest democratic entity, not as a king’s party,” said A.B.M. Ashraf Uddin Nizan, Industrial and Commercial Affairs Assistant Secretary of the BNP.

“Their claim of being a counterforce to the BNP may resonate with some disillusioned voters, but they must prove their ability to unite a fragmented electorate and present a compelling alternative.

The political environment remains highly polarised, and without strong leadership, infrastructure, and strategic alliances, the new party may struggle to function as a national force,” Mr. Nizan told The Hindu.