### A New Political Era in Bangladesh: Students Rise to Power In a significant political shift, Bangladeshi students who played a pivotal role in the uprising that ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have launched a new political party, the Jatiya Nagarik Party (National Citizen Party). This development marks a critical moment in Bangladesh's political landscape, as the party aims to challenge the longstanding dominance of the Hasina-Zia political duopoly. The party is led by Nahid Islam, a prominent student leader, and is positioned as a "democratic, egalitarian, people's party" focused on mobilizing youth and advocating for democratic reforms ahead of the upcoming elections expected by the end of the year [https://www.dawn.com/news/1895032/bangladeshi-students-unveil-another-political-party][https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/bangladeshi-students-launch-political-party-after-ousting-pm-hasina-2025-02-28]. ### Structure of the New Political Movement 1. **Formation of the Party**: The Jatiya Nagarik Party was officially launched on February 28, 2025, by key figures from the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, which was instrumental in the protests against Hasina's government [https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/politics/3281196-rise-of-the-national-citizen-party-bangladeshs-student-led-political-movement]. 2. **Leadership and Vision**: Nahid Islam, at just 26 years old, leads the party, which aims to dismantle what they describe as a "constitutional autocracy" and end decades of dynastic rule [https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/world-news/bangladeshs-student-uprising-leaders-launch-new-party-to-challenge-hasina-zia-duopoly/videoshow/118650663.cms]. 3. **Political Ideology**: The party has declared its intention to create a "solely Bangladesh-oriented" political system, explicitly rejecting influences from India and Pakistan [https://www.rediff.com/news/report/bdesh-students-who-toppled-hasina-launch-party-say-no-room-for-pro-india/20250228.htm]. 4. **Electoral Strategy**: With elections anticipated by December 2025, the party is mobilizing youth and addressing issues such as corruption and democratic reforms to appeal to a broad base of voters [https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-02-28/bangladesh-students-who-ousted-hasina-launch-political-party]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Mass Mobilization**: The inaugural rally for the Jatiya Nagarik Party is expected to attract around 300,000 participants, showcasing significant grassroots support [https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/world/students-led-political-party-to-be-launched-amid-unrest-in-bangladesh-12953223.html]. - **Political Landscape**: Analysts suggest that the emergence of this party could fundamentally reshape Bangladesh's political dynamics, which have been dominated by the Awami League and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) for decades [https://www.dw.com/en/bangladesh-students-launch-new-party-to-shake-up-politics/a-71786361]. ### Conclusion: A Transformative Moment for Bangladesh The launch of the Jatiya Nagarik Party represents a **transformative moment** in Bangladeshi politics, driven by a youthful movement that seeks to redefine the political landscape. 1. **Emergence of New Leadership**: The party's formation signals a shift away from traditional political dynasties, with young leaders stepping into the political arena. 2. **Focus on Democratic Reforms**: The party's commitment to tackling corruption and advocating for democratic reforms resonates with a populace eager for change. 3. **Potential for Political Realignment**: As the party prepares for the upcoming elections, its success could lead to a significant realignment of political power in Bangladesh, challenging the status quo established by the Hasina and Zia families. This new political entity not only reflects the aspirations of a generation but also poses a formidable challenge to the entrenched political order in Bangladesh [https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/2/28/bangladesh-students-who-deposed-pm-hasina-form-party-to-fight-elections].