Two senior leaders of the National Citizens’ Party (NCP) have been formally issued showcause notices amid accusations of misappropriating funds from government-provided rice allocations. The notices, signed by the district chief coordinator of Kushtia, Jannatul Ferdous Tony, were delivered on Friday night through the official party letterhead.
On Saturday, Tony confirmed that the notices had been served to Ibadat Ali, senior joint coordinator of the Kushtia district branch, and Helal Uddin, chief coordinator of the Kumar Khali upazila branch. Both leaders are required to submit written explanations within seven working days.
The showcause notices cite multiple allegations, including:
- Selling government-allocated rice for personal financial gain
- Breaching party rules during the election period by accepting benefits from rival political parties
- Irregularities in financial management and record-keeping
Helal Uddin, responding to the allegations, maintained his innocence. “I received a two-ton rice allocation, which I sold for 71,000 taka. Of this sum, 29,000 taka was spent on saris and lungis, while 5,000 taka went towards an Iftar party in Daulatpur. The remaining 37,000 taka was collected by district-level party members directly from me. I have committed no wrongdoing,” he explained. Uddin added that certain party members are attempting to undermine him after failing to profit personally and stated that he will provide a full response to the notice.
Tony, the district chief coordinator, emphasised that the action is intended to ensure accountability and transparency within the party. “We received multiple complaints, and this step allows us to verify financial records and ascertain the facts. Helal Uddin is the official project-in-charge, and purchases such as saris and lungis were made at his discretion. The 37,000 taka was taken by present district members, not by the office. Further inquiries will determine if any other irregularities exist,” he said.
The financial details, as reported, are summarised below:
| Leader | Rice Allocated | Sale Proceeds (Taka) | Expenditure/Distribution (Taka) | Remaining Funds (Taka) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Helal Uddin | 2 tons | 71,000 | Saris/Lungis: 29,000; Iftar Party: 5,000 | 37,000 | Distributed through district members |
| Ibadat Ali | 2 tons | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Showcause notice issued |
The issuance of these notices has been seen as a proactive step by the NCP district branch to maintain internal discipline. Party officials have stated that any necessary action will be taken based on the responses received. Local party members and residents are closely monitoring the situation, ensuring that all allegations are investigated thoroughly and transparently.