Nahid Islam, Convener of the National Citizen Party (NCP), has said that without the mass uprising, no one would have dreamed of elections. On the contrary, under Sheikh Hasina’s rule, the country would have had to wait another four years to vote.

He made the remarks on Monday (July 28) while addressing a street rally after the 28th day of the NCP’s “July March to Rebuild the Nation,” held in Jamalpur. 

Earlier in the day, NCP leaders visited the families of those killed during the July uprising.

Calling for the creation of an upper chamber in the national parliament as part of the state reform process, Nahid said such a chamber should be formed based on proportional representation, to ensure a balance of power and accountability. 

He added that the lack of consensus on this issue is one of the reasons why the finalisation of the July Charter remains stalled.

He urged political parties that have not yet joined the consensus to do so in the public interest, expressing hope that the July Charter would be signed and celebrated collectively on August 5.

Without naming names, Nahid also accused a major political party of trying to establish dominance at the grassroots level. “Those with differing views are being targeted,” he claimed.

Earlier in the rally, NCP's senior joint member secretary Tasnim Jara demanded structural changes to the state and justice for incidents of enforced disappearances and political killings.

The day began with Nahid Islam visiting the homes of uprising victims at the district council rest house. 

He also visited the Harijan community before leading a march from Tamal intersection to Faujdari Mor in Jamalpur town. NCP central leaders and party activists from seven upazilas participated in the day’s program.

SMS/