"I hope the NCP will become a genuine political platform for the masses and that people will see it as nothing more than that."

— - Ruhul Kabir Rizvi BNP Senior Joint Secretary General

Several political parties, including BNP, Jatiya Party, the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Ganosamhati Andolon, and Islami Andolon Bangladesh, have welcomed the newly formed National Citizen Party (NCP), saying it has the potential to bring a shift in the country's political landscape.

Jatiya Party, however, claimed the new party had the "blessings of the interim government", while CPB warned that if any government affiliation was found within the NCP, the people would not accept it, which would be detrimental to its success.

Speaking to reporters at the capital's Manik Mia Avenue, where the NCP was formally launched, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi hoped the party would bring change and a new political dynamic to Bangladesh, offering a fresh perspective to the people.

"I hope the NCP will become a genuine political platform for the masses and that people will see it as nothing more than that."

Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader said the formation of this new party would strengthen the country's multi-party democracy.

However, he alleged the NCP is receiving preferential treatment from the interim government and enjoying various advantages, adding that some members of the government are affiliated with the party. He refrained from naming anyone.

"If any evidence of government affiliations comes up, the people will not accept them [NCP], and it will not be beneficial for the party either."

— - Ruhin Hossain Prince CPB General Secretary

Quader also questioned whether the upcoming parliamentary election, set to be held under the interim government, would be free and fair, given the government's apparent support for the NCP.

Meanwhile, CPB General Secretary Ruhin Hossain Prince told The Daily Star his party welcomes any initiative that involves those who participated in the July uprising, upholds the spirit of the Liberation War, believes in democracy and secularism, and opposes discrimination.

"This party is now the talk of the country, which is natural. There're speculations that it was formed with 'the blessings of the interim government'. If any evidence of such affiliations comes up, the people will not accept them [NCP], and it will not be beneficial for the party either."

Regarding the NCP's declaration of a "second republic" or "new independence", Prince said, "They need to clarify what they mean by second republic because our independence came only through our great Liberation War. If this concept [of a new independence] seeks to undermine the Liberation War, then they don't truly recognise it [the 1971 war], regardless of what they claim publicly."

He further noted that while the NCP envisions equitable wealth distribution, it would not be able to achieve this goal if it continues to uphold a free-market economy. However, he said this was just his initial reaction. "My party will have further discussions [regarding the new party] internally."

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar told this newspaper that welcoming new political parties is the beauty of democracy.

"The formation of the NCP will play a positive role in advancing the country," he said, expressing hope that his party would engage with the NCP with mutual understanding.

Regarding the government's alleged support for the NCP, he said there was no clear evidence of such an affiliation so far.

Islami Andolon Bangladesh Secretary General Principal Hafiz Maulana Yunus Ahmad also congratulated the newly formed NCP, emphasising that a multi-party system is essential for democratic politics.

He said Bangladesh had developed a two-party system instead of a multi-party one, which had led to various political challenges in the country.

"The emergence of a new political party could serve as an alternative solution to this problem…. The formation of this youth-led political party brings hope to the nation."

Also congratulating the NCP, Zonayed Saki, chief coordinator of the Ganosamhati Andolon, hoped the party, which was formed by the masses, would remain deeply connected to the people.

"If the party has clear goals and is committed to recognising the struggles of the masses, it will be able to win over the people of the country."