Information and Broadcasting Adviser Nahid Islam has resigned from the advisory council of the interim government on Tuesday (February 25) after joining a new party and officially throwing his hat into the political arena.

However, this resignation did not come as a surprise. Rumors about his resignation had been circulating for almost a month.

Muntasir Mahmud, Central Executive Member of the National Citizens’ Committee, said, “Nahid will take responsibilities for our new political party. This is the beginning of a revolution in Bangladesh’s politics.”

A new political party, led by the National Citizen`s Committee (NCC) and the Anti-discrimination Student Movement (ADSM) leaders, is set to emerge on February 28.

Tarequl Islam, leader of the ADSM, said, “I observed two kinds of reactions to Nahid’s resignation. Some say it’s the right decision, while others call it suicidal.”

“Nahid is someone whose presence is equally crucial both in the government and on the streets. It was undoubtedly a difficult decision. However, the future will determine whether it was right or wrong,” he added.

Nahid Islam’s name has been almost finalized as the convener of this new party. He had also stated multiple times that he would resign before joining the new party. This is why he has resigned from his state position.

The potential name for Nahid’s new party could be one of the following-- `Student-People’s Party`, `National Revolutionary Force`, `Revolutionary People`s Struggle Party`, or `Anti-discrimination Citizen`s Movement`.

The party plans to register with one of four possible symbols—a clenched fist, elephant, Royal Bengal tiger, or Hilsa fish—to contest in the upcoming elections.

Student leaders mentioned that 70 members have already been selected for the new party, which is expected to have 120 to 150 members. Additionally, nine names have been finalized for the top nine leadership positions. Besides Nahid, other names being considered for key positions in the party include Akhtar Hossain, Nasiruddin Patwari, Sarjis Alam, and Hasnat Abdullah.

Meanwhile, after submitting his resignation, Nahid spoke at a press conference in front of the Chief Advisor’s residence, Jamuna, at noon.

He stated, "I believe it is more important to be on the streets than to be in the government, which is why I have resigned."

Later he posted on Facebook, “I joined the government in August, taking on the responsibility of fulfilling the aspirations of the martyrs, fighters, and the masses of the July uprising. But that dream cannot be realized from within the government alone. That is why today, I am signing off—with a commitment to building a new political force.”

“The struggle is not over, it is merely beginning in a new form,” he added.