A group of young activists identifying themselves as fighters of the July 2024 mass uprising, accused the newly announced Rajshahi district committee of the National Citizens Party of being formed through the ‘rehabilitation of former Awami League loyalists and individuals who actively opposed the July movement.’
At a press conference on Sunday night, they also issued a 24-hour ultimatum to the NCP central leadership to dissolve that committee.
The NCP on Saturday night announced a 105-member convening committee for its Rajshahi district unit with recently dissolved coordination committee’s joint-coordinator Saiful Islam as the convener.
Reading out a written statement, Sumaiya Akter, who identified herself as a former leader of Students Against Discrimination, alleged that several individuals with links to the Awami League had been included in the new committee.
She claimed that convener Saiful Islam had stood against students during the July uprising and maintained close contact with Jubo League leader Jahurul Haque Rubel – now in jail for firing pistols in both hands during a procession on August 5.
‘This committee is an insult to the martyrs of the July mass uprising,’ she said, warning that if the committee was not dissolved within 24 hours, they would return to the streets.
Another activist, Abdul Bashir Al Hadi, also claiming to be a Students Against Discrimination leader, said that they had repeatedly warned NCP’s central leadership about Saiful’s alleged political links.
‘Despite clear evidence of his closeness to top AL leaders in Rajshahi, he has been made district convener, which is unacceptable,’ he said.
Following the press conference, the group burned effigies of ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, NCP Rajshahi divisional organisational secretary Imran Imon and district convener Saiful Islam.
Meanwhile, at a separate press conference on Monday afternoon, Saiful Islam dismissed the allegations as ‘misleading and politically motivated’, saying they were based on old photographs, videos and misinterpreted social media content.
He said the decade-old photos showing him with AL leaders were taken at cultural events where he recited poetry or emceed programmes.
He also claimed that he had never been involved in partisan politics.
‘If I had political ties, I would have benefited long ago. I applied several times to Rajshahi City Corporation for small business permissions and was rejected each time,’ he said.
Saiful said that the NCP chose him because of his long involvement in organisational work and that the party’s central leadership was fully aware of his background.
‘I have always taken a stand against injustice. Anyone who doubts me can check the facts,’ he added.
Meanwhile, the group that held the earlier press conference misbehaved with journalists who were covering Saiful’s briefing at Rajshahi Parjatan Motel on Monday afternoon, witnesses said.
