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Published : 18 Jan 2026, 12:01 AM
A new political platform, the Network for People’s Action (NPA), has been launched in Dhaka ahead of the national election, raising questions about its role in the polls.
NPA joins the list of dozens of new parties and organisations formed after the July Uprising.
Its organisers say the central council includes student leaders and cultural activists, none of whom are contesting in the election.
The Election Commission is finalising candidates for the parliamentary polls scheduled for Feb 12, when a referendum on state reform will also be held.
NPA unveiled itself at a rally at the Shaheed Minar on Friday, declaring five guiding principles: democracy, equality, human dignity, social justice, and protection of nature and the environment.
Organisers said their goal is to establish NPA as a political party.
The 101 member council includes left leaning activists and former leaders of the National Citizen Party (NCP).
Some members said they may support “credible candidates” based on political integrity and public engagement, mentioning former NCP leader Tasnim Jara as a possible choice.
Council member Rafsan R Ahmed told bdnews24.com: “As a platform, NPA is not taking part in the election process. But individually, we may support a few qualified candidates based on trust, struggle and public connection.”
He said the aim is to build a political force that will advance Bangladesh’s democratic transformation and lead struggles for equality, dignity and justice.
NPA organiser Olik Mridha, formerly a joint convenor of NCP’s northern region, said he left NCP after its silence over violence in Khagrachhari last September.
“We hope to reach people across the country quickly. With public consultation, NPA will emerge as a political party,” he said.
Other former NCP leaders including Anik Roy and Tuhin Khan have joined NPA, alongside ex student union leaders Meghmallar Bosu and Nazifa Jannat, activist and writer Ferdous Ara Rumee, and Taslima Miji. Rumee, Tuhin and Nazifa serve as spokespersons.
Rafsan said student leaders in NPA will soon end their involvement in campus politics under their organisations’ constitutions.
Anik added, “We are in a fluid state. We want to build a better position through participation and discussion with all sections of society.”
Debate over NPA’s links to NCP has circulated on social media.
Council member Parvez Alam wrote on Facebook that the name originated a year ago as a WhatsApp group title, not from NCP.
Asked about the election, Anik said: “The election is important to us. We have our own position on the referendum agenda. We will take the election seriously, but we have not yet decided whether to support any candidate. We will make our statement.”
Former Communist Party president Mujahidul Islam Selim declined to comment on NPA, saying: “We need to see their activities first.”
