Bangladesh has witnessed an unprecedented surge in political parties in the wake of the Awami League government’s ouster in a student-led mass uprising on August 5, 2024.
Over the past eight and a half months, no fewer than 30 new parties have emerged, resulting in what some observers see as a competitive scramble for political relevance.
Since only a few of these parties have drawn public attention, analysts view the trend as, on the one hand, offering a potential revival of democratic engagement while, on the other, reflecting efforts to safeguard personal and group interests.
Following the mass uprising, the first political party — the Nucleus Party of Bangladesh — was launched on August 23, 2024, while the most recent one, the United People’s Bangladesh, came into being on May 9, followed by a new political coalition named Jatiya Sanskar Jote (national reform alliance) on May 17.
During this period, student leaders, who spearheaded the successful mass uprising against the Awami League regime, formed the National Citizen Party on 28 February, while another faction led by former Chhatra Shibir leaders launched the United People’s Bangladesh.
Among the new parties that emerged over the past eight and a half months, the National Citizen Party has garnered the most significant attention in political discussions.
Experts said that traditionally, after every political changeover, a swift emergence of many new parties had taken place in the country ahead of the general elections, but they hastened to add that the surge in new parties following the July uprising was unprecedented.
Leaders of several new political parties said that their formation was fuelled by public dissatisfaction with the existing political culture and the failure of the mainstream parties to represent the people’s aspirations.
Enthused by the student-led mass uprising, these parties see the present situation as a unique opportunity to reshape Bangladesh’s political landscape.
Former Jahangirnagar University professor of government and politics Dilara Chowdhury observed that while the proliferation of new political parties in Bangladesh signalled a renewed interest in political participation for some, it also came as an opportunity for selfish gains for others.
She expressed deep skepticism about the ability of the new parties to mobilise people on a large scale or to fulfill the aspirations that emanated from the July uprising.
‘The emergence of over 30 new political parties may signal a renewed commitment to restoring democracy after 16 years of political stagnation, but for some people, politics has become a business, with parties formed driven more by selfish gains than public interest,’ Dilara Chowdhury said.
The political analyst expressed doubt that the rapid rise of new parties would fulfill the aspirations resulting from the recent uprising or promote national unity.
Although unity was considered essential and major parties were expected to lead the resolution of differences, this expectation has not been met, and the short-lived unity seen in July and August has meanwhile broken down, she added.
National Citizen Party joint convener Sarwar Tushar said that an increase in the number of political parties could be positive if the parties were genuinely grounded in the interest of the people.
He acknowledged that the post-uprising time had offered a valuable opportunity to rebuild a political culture that would promote public interest and democratic values, observing that many of the new parties were also little more than signboard-based entities, created by one or two individuals without genuine public support.
Tushar observed that the NCP was formed in a direct response to the mass uprising aspirations, with the aim of preserving the uprising’s achievements and fulfilling a fundamental public aspiration for a political force to be led by those who had played a central role in the movement.
He said that the party envisioned a truly democratic Bangladesh, marked by genuine multi-party democracy, the protection of cultural and communal diversity, an economy promoting production and employment, and the safeguarding of civil rights and liberties.
Newly formed Ganatantrik Nagarik Shakti chair Abdul Maleq Farazi said that his party was formed in response to the July uprising with an aim to build a state free from foreign dominance, imperialism, and hegemonic control.
The party also seeks to end autocracy, dynastic politics, and corruption, and to promote transparency, accountability and inclusive governance, he said.
Bangladesh Ganatantric Party chair SM Shahadat said that the uprising had created a chance to rebuild the country with honest and skilled leaders wishing to serve the people.
‘Our core principles are national sovereignty, freedom of opinion and religion, and democratic values,’ he said.
Bhashani Janshakti Party chair Sheikh Rafiqul Islam said that their main goal was to establish the ideals and spirit of Maulana Bhasani in Bangladesh, which they believe is essential for the country’s true liberation.
He said that these ideals included building a non-communal nation free from corruption, imperialism, and hegemonic influence.
Political analyst Dilara Chowdhury said that many of the newly formed parties were merely signboard-centric, lacking real substance or grassroots support.
She explained that unlike past uprisings, the current wave of party formation reflected deep societal fragmentation, even within families, and was hindered by a decline in compromise, collaboration and social capital.
