Ganatantrik Chhatra Sangsad is made up of former protest organisers and Awami League students
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\nStudents who played a central role in the protests that led to the overthrow of Bangladesh\u2019s former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have announced the formation of a new political party. This move comes as part of the growing political turmoil in the country ahead of expected elections.
\nThe new party, named Ganatantrik Chhatra Sangsad (Democratic Student Council), includes key members of the Students Against Discrimination (SAD) group, which spearheaded the uprising that ousted Hasina from power in August 2024. The formation of the party marks a new chapter in the intense political jostling that is set to dominate the months ahead of the national elections, which are anticipated in late 2025 or early 2026. While the political landscape in Bangladesh has been fraught with division, the formation of the Ganatantrik Chhatra Sangsad has already led to internal tensions. Rival factions within the student movement have accused the new party of undermining the revolution, with some clashes between members occurring when the party\u2019s name was announced on Wednesday.
\nThe new political entity has also attracted students who were once aligned with Hasina\u2019s Awami League, including those from the party\u2019s youth wing. Despite this, the new leaders are keen to distance themselves from the legacy of violence associated with Hasina\u2019s rule.
\nZahid Ahsan, a prominent leader of the new party, explained that they had ensured that none of the students from the Awami League were involved in atrocities during the revolution. \u201cWe are committed to protecting student rights and want to uphold the spirit of the mass movement that called for an end to Hasina\u2019s autocratic grip,\u201d Ahsan told AFP.
\nHasina, now in self-imposed exile in India, is facing a series of charges, including accusations of crimes against humanity. The new party\u2019s formation aims to continue the push for reform and establish a government that truly represents the people.
\nThe political chaos is intensifying, as rival student factions, including some former SAD leaders, are expected to form another party. These developments come amid growing tensions, with more than 150 people injured in recent clashes between student groups.
\nAs the country moves toward elections, which are likely to see the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Hasina\u2019s long-time opponent, taking a leading role, the situation remains volatile. Muhammad Yunus, the Nobel laureate heading the caretaker government, has confirmed that general elections will be held in late 2025 or early 2026.
\nBangladesh\u2019s political scene continues to be highly fractured, with significant divisions over how best to move forward following Hasina\u2019s ousting and the legacy of her rule. The formation of the Ganatantrik Chhatra Sangsad signals a new phase in the country\u2019s tumultuous political journey.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Ganatantrik Chhatra Sangsad is made up of former protest organisers and Awami League students dhaka Students who played a central role in the protests that led to the overthrow of Bangladesh\u2019s former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have announced the formation of a new political party. This move comes as part of the growing political turmoil […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":464265,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-464235","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-world"},"yoast_head":"\n