Nahid resigns to ‘helm new party’

Nahid Islam yesterday resigned as the information adviser to almost certainly lead the upcoming new political party.

After submitting his resignation, the leader of the Students Against Discrimination said that his role outside the government and on the streets would be more significant to fulfilling the aspiration for democratic change and consolidating the strength of those who participated in the mass uprising.

"The companions who are out there also desire this. Therefore, I have submitted my resignation," said Nahid, who was the adviser for Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology and Information and Broadcasting.

"I have always tried to fulfil my responsibilities under your leadership despite various challenges. But in the current context, I feel that I should be present in the ranks of the people and students for the greater interest of the country and the nation," he said in his resignation to Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus.

Nahid's resignation came amid speculation that he might leave the cabinet to lead the new political party mainly consisting of July uprising activists.

The party is set to launch on February 28 at a grand rally on Manik Miah Avenue in Dhaka. Nahid is expected to be the convenor of the new political party as its convener.

"Yes, I have a wish to participate in the new political force or party that is being formed. I have resigned from the government to mingle with the people once again, unite them and work on the ground to implement the promises of the mass uprising."

When asked if he is becoming the convener of the new party, Nahid said: "The announcement of the party will be on February 28. We will have to wait until then. We will know on that day."

Asked whether Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan and Mahfuj Alam, the other two student-turned-advisers, would be following his lead, he said: "There are still two people in the government who think they will serve the people from their positions. If they feel the need to engage in politics, they might resign from the government as well."

The people may see the results of his work in the future, although six months is a very short time and there were bureaucratic complexities, said Nahid, who also resigned from the July Shaheed Smrity Foundation.

Asked who will take over the vacant ministry positions, he said that the advisory council will take a call on that.