A new political platform named “Alternatives” has emerged at the initiative of former interim government information adviser Mahfuj Alam, announcing a 17-member "national organising committee".

The committee was made public last night through a press release posted on the platform’s Facebook page.

Besides Mahfuj, the members of the committee are Tajnuva Jabin, Ahmed Ibne Arif (Oni), Iman Syed, Imran Ahmed, Jahin Faruk Amin, Tanvir Chowdhury, Durjoy Das Gupta, Farhadul Alam Sabuj, Maida Tanha Bidushi, Mutasim Billah, Moniruzzaman, Md Raihanur Rahman (Rabi), Mohammad Erfanul Haque, Sajjad Hossain Shahidullah, Sheikh Farid and Hasan Ali.

Among them, Tajnuva Jabin and Hasan Ali are former joint conveners of the National Citizen Party (NCP), while Iman Syed served as the party’s joint chief organiser for the South region.

The press release said the number of members in the national organising committee would be expanded gradually in line with organisational needs.

According to the press release, the new platform formed the committee to ensure the positive participation of young people in politics, reclaim what it described as the “lost dreams” of the students and people of July, and reorganise students and citizens across the country to build a Bangladesh based on responsibility and empathy.

Members of the committee will serve as organisers. Their responsibilities include connecting with politically conscious youths in different regions, engaging with the families of those killed in the July uprising and those injured during the movement, and nurturing new leadership.

They will also work to expand the organisation nationwide with the aim of promoting a responsible and participatory political culture, it added.

The platform said it would begin organisational activities across the country in the coming days. Committee members will gradually launch outreach and dialogue in different districts to bring together students, workers, farmers and the wider public and build an organisational structure.