Highlights
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NCP leader Nahid Islam vows to form government within 10 years — or leave politics entirely.
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Exclusive interview with Dhaka Stream reveals his long-term strategy and motivation.
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July Uprising shaped NCP’s political foundation, giving it a 10–15 year advantage, says Nahid.
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Focus on collective politics, public empowerment, and institutional reform at the party’s core.
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“People have given us responsibility — now it’s our test of skill, honesty, and dedication,” he asserts.
In a candid and confident tone, National Citizens Party (NCP) Convenor Nahid Islam declared that if his party fails to form a government within the next 10 years, he will withdraw from politics altogether.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Dhaka Stream Editor Iftekhar Mahmud, conducted at his residence in Dhaka on November 6, the young leader laid out his roadmap for Bangladesh’s future politics.
‘আমরা ১০ বছরের টার্গেট নিচ্ছি এবং আমি মনে করি, ১০ বছরের মধ্যে বাংলাদেশের রাজনীতিতে আমরা প্রতিষ্ঠিত হব, ক্ষমতায় যাব, সরকার গঠন করব।’
Translation:“We’re setting a 10-year target,” Nahid stated firmly. “Within this period, we aim to become an established political force in Bangladesh, ascend to power, and form a government. If we fail, I will step away from politics.”
Nahid Islam, one of the leading figures of the July 2024 Uprising, has since transformed the momentum of that historic movement into a structured political initiative, the National Citizens Party (NCP).
In the interview, he reflected on the transition from movement to political organization, addressing the realities, challenges, and strategic vision that define the party’s current path.
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When asked about his long-term political vision, Nahid explained that his journey has always been rooted in collective ideals, not personal ambition.
‘রাজনীতিতে আমরা প্রথম থেকেই একটা সামষ্টিক ধারণায় বিশ্বাস করতাম। ব্যক্তি বা নিজেকে নিয়ে খুব একটা ভাবি না। আর এখন তো অনেক মানুষের জীবনদান এটার সঙ্গে জড়িত। এখানে দীর্ঘমেয়াদী চিন্তাভাবনা করেই নেমেছি।’
Translation:“We believed in collective politics from the very beginning. It was never about individual fame. Too many lives are connected to this cause this isn’t something we can abandon easily.”
On the rationale behind the 10-year timeline, Nahid elaborated:
‘অনেক রাজনৈতিক দলকে দেখি, বছরের পর বছর কাজ করছে, কিন্তু সফলতা পাচ্ছে না। অনেকে সফলতা পেয়ে আবার ধরেও রাখতে পারছে না। ফলে ১০ বছর আমি আমার জন্য একটা টাইম ধরে নিয়েছি।’
Translation:“Many political parties work for decades without success or they achieve power but fail to sustain it. So, I’ve set a timeline for myself ten years. Within this period, I want to establish NCP, form a government, and fulfill our goal of empowering the people.”
According to Nahid, the July Uprising has given NCP a head start, propelling them forward in political maturity and public recognition:
“নিজেই তৈরি করুন নিজের অনলাইন স্টোর — কোনো কোডিং জ্ঞান ছাড়াই!”
“In just one year, we’ve reached the level that usually takes a political party 10 or 15 years. The uprising pushed us ahead by a decade. Now it’s our responsibility to prove our ability and integrity.”
Translation:“In just one year, we’ve reached the level that usually takes a political party 10 or 15 years. The uprising pushed us ahead by a decade. Now it’s our responsibility to prove our ability and integrity.”
When asked if this vision was formed before or after the uprising, he responded thoughtfully:
‘৫ আগস্টের আগে একেবারে এভাবে ভাবছি, এরকম না। তখন আমাদের একটু ভিন্ন স্ট্র্যাটেজি ছিল, পরিকল্পনা ছিল। কারণ এই ফ্যাসিবাদ কখন, কীভাবে যাবে; আমরা তো কেউই নিশ্চিত ছিলাম না। তবে রাজনীতিতে আমরা থাকবো বা জাতীয় রাজনীতির পরিবর্তন হবে, এটা দৃঢ়ভাবে বিশ্বাস করতাম।
৫ আগস্টের পরেই মূলত এই ভাবনা আরো দৃঢ় হয়, এটা আমার ব্যক্তিগত ভাবনা। হয়তো আমার দল থাকবে (নিজে রাজনীতি ছেড়ে দিলেও)। কিন্তু আমি ১০ বছরের মধ্যে এই দলকে সরকার নিয়ে যাব, এটা আমার লক্ষ্য।’
Translation: “Before August 5 I was not thinking like this at all. At that time we had a somewhat different strategy and plan. After all, none of us were sure when or how this fascism would end. But I firmly believed we would remain in politics and that national politics would change.
After August 5 this idea became even stronger this is my personal conviction. Maybe the party will continue (even if I leave politics). But my goal is to take this party to government within ten years.”
Nahid Islam’s declaration marks a defining moment for Bangladesh’s emerging political landscape. His 10-year challenge sets a rare standard of accountability and urgency in national politics.
As the leader who once stood at the forefront of the July 2024 Uprising, Nahid now seeks to channel that revolutionary energy into structured governance through the National Citizens Party. His message is clear: politics must have purpose, direction, and measurable goals and for him, the deadline is ten years.
Source: Bangla Stream
