In a dramatic development, Rajshahi has declared Sergeant Alam, the chief organiser of the National Citizens’ Party (NCP) for the northern region, as ‘undesirable’ in the city. The announcement was made on Friday evening (5 December) by Motaleb Hossain, former joint convener of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement’s Rajshahi district committee and ex-member of the NCP’s district coordination committee, via a Facebook post.
In his statement, Hossain claimed that the decision was prompted by the central committee’s refusal to expel Saiful Islam, who was appointed as the district head of the NCP in Rajshahi on 29 November. Since that announcement, a faction within the party has launched protests, labelling Saiful Islam as an ‘ally of the ruling Awami League’.
Hossain further alleged on social media that “Saiful Islam’s induction into the NCP was orchestrated by Rajshahi divisional organiser Imran Emon.” The controversy has since escalated, compelling the Nationalist Student League to call an emergency meeting.
The emergency session is scheduled for Sunday (21 December) at 2:30 pm on the third floor of Bhashani Bhaban in Naya Paltan, Dhaka, as confirmed by the central office of the student league in a Saturday (20 December) notice. The announcement, issued by Mohammad Jahangir Alam, office secretary with co-vice president rank, urges leaders at all levels of the central council to attend punctually.
Another notice from the League detailed that, following the emergency meeting, a major organisational session will be held at the same venue at 4:30 pm. Participants will include representatives from the Nationalist Student League chapters of Dhaka University, Jagannath University, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Jahangirnagar University, various private universities, Dhaka College, Tejgaon College, Titumir Government College, Bangla Government College, and Kabi Nazrul Government College. Additionally, leaders from the city and district branches of Dhaka, Gazipur, Manikganj, Tangail, Munshiganj, and Narsingdi will join what has been described as a ‘Super Five’ central organisational meeting.
The unfolding dispute underscores growing tensions within the NCP’s Rajshahi chapter and highlights the increasingly influential role of student bodies in national political manoeuvring.