National Citizen Party (NCP) Spokesperson Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain today alleged that the BNP‑led government is betraying the July Charter and people’s mandate, warning that continued delays in holding local government elections could push the party toward an “Ershad‑like fate.”

Speaking at a press conference at the NCP central office in Dhaka's Banglamotor, Asif said political deception never lasts long, and those who practise it are eventually rejected by the people.

He claimed that BNP’s current political direction had alienated the younger generation.

“The younger generation, even your own children, cannot accept this brand of politics. Children of many senior BNP leaders, including standing committee members, communicate with us. You may even see some of them joining the NCP in the future,” he said.

He alleged that BNP was stalling local elections, appointing unelected administrators -- who failed in previous elections or denied party nominations -- to local bodies, and compared Tarique Rahman's approach to former military ruler Ershad’s governance style.

“If you run the country like Ershad, you may face the same fate as Ershad,” he warned.

Asif also voiced concern over remarks from leaders in West Bengal, India, urging them to stay out of Bangladesh’s internal affairs. He cautioned against the rise of “extremist forces” across the border, saying such developments could affect bilateral relations.

The press conference was followed by the formal joining of around 4,000 members of ‘Warriors of July’, a platform of those injured during the July uprising, into the NCP.

Notable new members include Dr Mohammad Najibur Rahman, a professor based in Türkiye (joining virtually), freedom fighter and educationist Prof MH Arif from Gazipur, and Abdullah Mohammad Hossain Fahim, a descendant of Faraizi Movement leader Haji Shariatullah.

Asif reiterated that NCP’s doors remain open to those committed to building a “new Bangladesh” based on the people’s mandate.