Nahid Islam, convenor of the National Citizen Party (NCP), at the party's first public programme since its launch, yesterday proposed holding constituent assembly elections and the parliamentary polls simultaneously.

"Constituent assembly elections will help pave the way for a new constitution and a genuine democratic process. The constituent assembly polls and the national parliamentary election can be held together. This will enable the formation of a new framework and the creation of a new Bangladesh."

He made these remarks after visiting the graves of the July uprising martyrs in the capital's Rayerbazar. He was accompanied by other NCP leaders.

Nahid also demanded swift justice for the repression during the uprising.

"Through fair justice, we can at least alleviate some of the sufferings of those [the families of those] who sacrificed their lives and those who were injured. This justice must serve as a precedent to ensure that no fascist regime emerges in the future."

Sarjis Alam, chief organiser (Northern region) of the NCP, stated that as long as Hasina is not on the gallows, no one should "even mistakenly talk about elections".

"Where killer Hasina has disposed of the bodies is still unknown. Mothers are desperately looking for their children's remains. Until justice is served, how can we think about anything else in this country?"

The party's Chief Organiser (Southern region) Hasnat Abdullah, said the current government came to power through the blood of students and the public.

"They must remember that if justice is not ensured, the entire process [of the interim government's formation] will be questioned. Justice must be ensured as quickly as possible. If necessary, the number of special tribunals should be increased to expedite the trials."

Those present at Rayerbazar also included NCP's Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain, Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary, Senior Joint Chief Coordinator Abdul Hannan Masud, and other party leaders.

Earlier, around 8:30am, Nahid and Akhtar led the NCP leaders to the National Memorial in Savar to pay homage to the martyrs of the Liberation War by placing wreaths. They then observed a one-minute silence.

Speaking to reporters there, Akhtar said the key principles of the independence achieved in 1971 – equality, human dignity and social justice – have remained elusive for 54 years.

"We, the leaders and activists of the NCP, are committed to building the Bangladesh that upholds the equality, human dignity and social justice of 1971. NCP will continue to work to build that Bangladesh, and we have many proposals for the whole of Bengal to see Bangladesh as a country that can stand tall in the world."

At the same event, Nasiruddin Patwary mentioned that the party slogan "Inquilab Zindabad" has come up in discussions recently.

"We want to tell the whole of Bangladesh and the whole world that the people of Bangladesh will write Inquilab Zindabad across the whole sky, inshaAllah."