The National Citizens Party (NCP) is celebrating its first founding anniversary today (February 28) with the slogan ‘The country will go on a new path, it will not return to fascism.’ To mark the occasion, a central Iftar mahfil has been organized at Abahani Ground in Dhanmondi in the capital.

The Awami League government fell on August 5, 2024, after the July Uprising. The NCP was officially launched on February 28 last year, at the initiative of the students who led that uprising. Since its establishment, the party has been active in the political arena, demanding state reform, reconstruction of democratic structures, and justice for the July massacre.

In the last 13th National Parliament election, the NCP joined hands with the 11-party alliance led by Jamaat-e-Islami and fielded candidates in 30 seats. Six candidates, including the party’s convener Nahid Islam and member secretary Akhtar Hossain, were elected as members of parliament. The party emerged as a new political force by participating in the national elections and ensuring representation just a year after its establishment. This much-discussed party is entering its first year on Saturday.

Ariful Islam Adeeb, convener of the founding anniversary celebration implementation committee, outlined the program and said that the event will be held on February 28 to mark the one-year anniversary of the NCP with the participation of family members of martyrs of the mass uprising, representatives of various anti-fascist political parties and organizations, journalists, teachers, workers, and people from various professions.

A film exhibition has also been arranged at the Abahani ground in Dhanmondi along with the central iftar mahfil. A series of promos called ‘Street Wall’ will be displayed to highlight the party’s political activities, movements and struggles and important moments in the past year. There will also be a photo booth for the participants. The program is scheduled to start at 4 pm.

Iftar mahfils have also been organized at the divisional level to mark the anniversary. These events will be held in Chittagong on March 2, Comilla on March 3, Sylhet on March 4, Mymensingh on March 5, Faridpur on March 7, Barisal on March 8, Khulna on March 9, Rajshahi on March 10 and Rangpur on March 11. The NCP said that the divisional programs will also be attended by party leaders and workers, family members of the martyrs of the July Uprising and eminent personalities from various fields.