Youth-centred NCP tasks over-40s with leadership of regional committees

The party's general meeting discusses justice for July Uprising killings and broader grassroots mobilisation strategy

Although the National Citizen Party (NCP) was founded by young leaders of the July Uprising, the party has now decided to entrust its regional committees to those aged above 40.

The decision came during a 9-hour third general meeting held on Friday at the party’s temporary office in Dhaka’s Banglamotor, aimed at boosting organisational activities.

The session was chaired by NCP Convenor Nahid Islam and moderated by Member Secretary Akhter Hossen.

Of the party’s 214 general members, 174 were present.

According to a party statement, the meeting discussed a wide range of issues including the progress of bringing the Awami League—referred to as the “perpetrator of mass killings” during the Uprising—to justice, expanding grassroots presence, and reviewing current national and international political developments.

To enhance organisational efficiency, northern region lead organiser Sarjis Alam and southern region lead organiser Hasnat Abdullah jointly proposed a new policy.

The proposal included dividing the country’s 64 districts into 19 zones for better management.

It was also decided to expand the size of the committees.

District committees will now have between 31 and 51 members, up from the previous minimum, while Upazila committees will have at least 41 members, compared with the earlier 21.

The party also resolved that convenors of both district and Upazila committees must be at least 40 years old.

In response to allegations of misconduct against some NCP activists on social media and in public spaces, the meeting agreed to form a Disciplinary and Investigation Committee to handle internal organisational violations.

The NCP also announced that it would hold a protest programme in Dhaka this week, demanding justice, reforms, and a Constituent Assembly election.

The meeting also focused on developing regional policy guidelines, reform proposals, a renewed call for justice against the Awami League, and steps to end border killings.

Other key issues raised were the ongoing Israeli violence in Gaza, suppression of the movement against the Waqf Bill in India, and the need for government intervention to stabilise the prices of essential commodities.

Participants also discussed the ongoing Israeli violence in Gaza, repression of protests against India’s Waqf Bill, and urged the government to act on rising prices of essential goods.