Bangladesh to decide who comes to power, not India: Hasnat

Hasnat Abdullah, the convener of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, has asserted that the people of Bangladesh, not India, will decide who assumes power in the country. 

Speaking at the unveiling ceremony of the National Citizen Party (NCP) on Friday afternoon at Manik Mia Avenue in Dhaka, Hasnat emphasized that the working-class people of Bangladesh will determine who represents them in parliament and who leads the nation.

"Who will enter Ganabhaban (the official residence of the Prime Minister) will not be decided from India. It will be determined from Bangladesh. The hardworking people of Bangladesh will decide who sits in parliament and who occupies the seat of power. The people of this land will make that decision," Hasnat declared.

He criticized the long-standing politics of division in Bangladesh, stating, "For a long time, politics of division has been perpetuated in Bangladesh. Rising above this politics of division, we will practice politics of unity and rebuild the Bangladeshi state."

Hasnat highlighted the failures of the past 53 years, noting that the nation has been unable to build strong institutions. "We have not been able to establish an independent police force or judiciary. We have not been able to build a proper state. Our institutions have not functioned as they should. We, the youth, will rebuild this Bangladesh. We will ensure that institutions function properly."

He also addressed Bangladesh's foreign relations, emphasizing the need for friendly ties without external interference. "We will maintain friendly relations with foreign countries, but there will be no prescriptive relationships. Now that our youth have learned to shed blood for their rights, no one can suppress them."

Hasnat expressed optimism about the future, combining the wisdom of the older generation with the energy of the youth. "With the experience of the elders and the vigor of the youth, we will build the next Bangladesh. Dynastic politics has been buried in this country. Leadership will emerge based on merit. We want a Bangladesh where freedom of expression and dissent is guaranteed." 

The event marked the formal launch of the National Citizen Party, which aims to bring about a new political era in Bangladesh, driven by the aspirations of the younger generation and a commitment to unity, justice, and democratic values.