A fresh chapter of political instability has emerged in the Habiganj district branch of the National Citizens’ Party (NCP) following the simultaneous resignation of thirteen senior leaders. The resignations, announced during a late-night emergency press conference on Wednesday, 28 January, at the party’s temporary office in Habiganj’s Bebistand area, cited multiple grievances, including the reinstatement of fascist-leaning leaders, the exclusion of July Movement activists, and alleged corruption within the central leadership.
At the press briefing, the outgoing leaders criticised the district and national committees for favouring loyalists while sidelining grassroots activists who participated in the July Movement. They argued that the party’s central leadership had departed from its moderate political principles, compromising its ideology by forming alliances with two major coalitions within just two months. Allegations of corruption involving advisers and various levels of leadership were also highlighted.
Discontent over candidate nominations was another key concern. According to the resigning leaders, July Movement activists showed reluctance to campaign for the party’s nominated candidates, creating significant obstacles in electoral preparations. The resignations further underscore organisational shortcomings, which they described as “extreme failures” at the district committee level.
The following table lists the resigning leaders and their positions:
| Name | Position |
|---|---|
| Palash Mahmud | Senior Joint Secretary |
| Md. Nurul Haq Tipu | Joint Convenor |
| Advocate Md. Abdul Wahid Monir | Member |
| Sirajul Haq Sajib | Joint Secretary |
| Sheikh Rubel Ahmed | Member |
| Salma Hasan | Member |
| Sanjay Das | Member |
| Md. Harun Mia | Member |
| Md. Kamal Uddin Ahmed | Member |
| Advocate Md. Josim Uddin | Member |
| AHM Shafiul Alam Khan | Member |
| Md. Zahid Mia | Member |
| Sofayel Ahmed | Member |
Speaking to the press, Palash Mahmud stated, “We have submitted our resignations through the district committee to the central leadership. This decision has been taken out of both personal disappointment and principled concern. Currently, moderate politics are virtually absent in Bangladesh. However, should the NCP—or any new party—re-emerge grounded in moderate ideals and capable of accommodating both the 1971 liberation spirit and the contemporary 2024 political landscape, we may consider joining. Otherwise, we shall remain citizens in the truest sense.”
Political analysts interpret the resignations as more than a local crisis; they reflect broader dissatisfaction with the central committee’s policies and decisions. Observers warn that unless the internal discontent is addressed swiftly, the NCP could face a weakened position nationally, risking its credibility ahead of forthcoming elections.