Bangladesh student activists who ousted Sheikh Hasina to launch new political party

The Bangladeshi student leaders who led last year’s uprising that toppled the government announced on Monday their plans to establish a new political party as the country prepares for elections later this year.

Several members of the influential Students Against Discrimination group now hold key positions in the government, including Nahid Islam as telecoms minister, Asif Mahmud overseeing the sports portfolio and Mahfuz Alam serving as a special adviser.

According to sources familiar with the matter, the group is finalising arrangements to formally launch the party, with an announcement expected as early as Wednesday. The sources requested anonymity as they are not authorized to speak to the media.

“The new political party will prioritise the interests of the country and its citizens over those of any individual, party, or clique,” said Sarjis Alam, a key leader of the group, speaking to a packed press conference.

The students said they would unveil details of the party name on Friday.

“People from all walks of life, regardless of caste or creed, will join us that day in front of the national parliament – the symbol of the people’s aspirations,” Alam said.

They were joined at the press conference alongside activists from the Jatiya Nagarik Committee, a like-minded pressure group, who will also join the party.

“The people expect us to curb corruption, create opportunities for all, ensure accountability, and uphold dignity without discrimination,” said member Akhtar Hossain.

Ex-prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled the country in August 2024 and remains in self-imposed exile in India, has defied an arrest warrant from Dhaka to face charges of crimes against humanity.

Muhammad Yunus, the Nobel Prize-winning microfinance pioneer who heads the caretaker government, has said that general elections would take place in late 2025 or in early 2026.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is widely expected to dominate elections.

Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, BNP secretary-general, has said they would “welcome” a party by the students – but only if they set it up while no longer in the cabinet.

“If they form a party while in government, the people of this country will not accept it,” he said earlier this month, Bangladeshi media reported.

The South Asian nation has been grappling with political unrest since Hasina left following weeks of protests during which more than 1,000 people were killed.

With inputs from agencies