The National Citizen Party (NCP) is set to launch a series of programmes this month, centring on three key demands -- the trial of the Awami League for the July killings, governance reforms, and an election to the constituent assembly, according to party insiders.

The newly formed youth-led party will also focus on establishing district and upazila-level organisational units and setting up a central office to meet the Election Commission's (EC) registration criteria ahead of the upcoming polls.

MEMBERSHIP DRIVE AND POLITICAL STANCE

The NCP is expected to begin a membership collection drive in the second week of this month to form its district and upazila-level units.

The party leadership has expressed concern over the BNP's reluctance towards key reform proposals.

To address this, the NCP plans to hold discussions with various stakeholders this month.

The party is firmly opposed to allowing Awami League to engage in politics.

However, it insists on banning the party through judicial proceedings rather than executive orders.

Until a judicial verdict is reached, the NCP demands the immediate cancellation of the AL's registration and a bar on its political activities.

Several party leaders have indicated that this demand will be at the forefront of their agenda.

The NCP also plans to engage the families of the July uprising's martyrs, the injured, party leaders, and the general public in their programmes.

REFORM DISCUSSIONS

Both the BNP and NCP submitted their written opinions to the National Consensus Commission on March 23 regarding recommendations from five commissions, including the Constitution Reform Commission.

However, fundamental differences emerged between the two parties.

While BNP supports retaining the constitution's basic principles, NCP seeks amendments.

BNP favours a five-year parliamentary term, whereas the NCP supports reducing it to four years, in line with the Reform Commission's recommendations.

Additionally, while BNP opposes separating the leadership of political parties from parliamentary leadership, NCP supports this measure.

At a Chattogram event on March 28, BNP Standing Committee Member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury remarked, "Sorry, this [carrying out reforms] is not your responsibility. It will be the responsibility of those whom the people of Bangladesh elect."

NCP leaders fear that BNP's opposition could stall the reform process, preventing fundamental changes and weakening the July uprising's momentum.

However, the NCP does not want a direct confrontation with BNP and will instead prioritise dialogue.

Two top leaders of the party confirmed that discussions on reforms with stakeholders would commence by mid-April.

"We will try to reach a consensus through dialogue. The party's reform coordination committee will lead the discussions," an NCP joint convener told The Daily Star.

EC REGISTRATION CRITERIA

The EC issued a public notice on March 10, inviting applications for new party registrations by April 20.

However, Rastra Sanskar Andolan's Chief Coordinator Hasnat Qayyum filed a writ petition in the High Court on March 16, challenging the validity of the notice.

Having launched on February 28, the NCP must fulfil EC registration requirements, including establishing a central office with a central committee, district offices in at least one-third of administrative districts, and upazila or metropolitan thana offices in at least 100 locations, each with a minimum of 200 registered members.

The NCP has expressed reservations about the current registration criteria and intends to formally request the EC to consider recommendations from the electoral reform commission.

Party leaders aim to complete the formation of their organisational structure within the next two months.