Dhaka – As controversy swirls over remarks made by a leader of the National Citizen Party (NCP) over a meeting with the army chief — specifically about the potential return of the ousted Awami League to Bangladesh’s political landscape — another key figure from the newly-formed party has presented a contrasting perspective.
On Sunday, Sarjis Alam, the chief organizer for NCP’s northern districts, publicly disagreed with Hasnat Abdulla, the organizer for the party’s southern units.
Abdulla’s recent statements about the meeting’s outcome have sparked significant political debate on social media, as well as discomfort within military circles.
Many analysts are viewing these differing stances as the early signs of a “north-south division” within NCP, predicting that tensions may escalate in the coming days.
Abdul Hannan Masud, a senior coordinator of the NCP, expressed dissatisfaction over the contradictory statements by its two leaders saying “either of them is a liar”.
Being in the important party portfolio, their involvements in private peripheries and their public exposure would definitely harm the party, he said in a Facebook post.
In an explanatory statement, Alam clarified that contrary to Abdulla’s claim that they were “summoned” by the cantonment, the meeting with the army chief was arranged to discuss his recent candid remarks that he had delivered a few days ago.
“In the Senabhaban (official residence of the army chief), the three of us — Hasnat, the Army Chief, and I — were present in that room,” Alam said in his social media post on Monday titled “Some corrections, additions, and omissions regarding the March 11 Meeting with the Army Chief.”
Alam noted that people interpret statements differently, which explains why Abdulla’s Facebook post reflected his own perception of the army chief’s words. However, Alam expressed key disagreements with Abdulla’s interpretation.
He emphasized that he did not view the army chief’s speech as a “proposal” but rather as a “direct expression of opinion.” He pointed out the distinction between the two, adding that while the army chief was more straightforward than usual, the claim that “pressure” was exerted for a “Refined Awami League” was misleading.
Instead, Alam felt that the army chief was simply articulating a strong opinion that without a “refined” version of the Awami League, long-term political instability was inevitable.
In his Thursday night’s post, Abdulla asserted that the army chief had proposed rehabilitating a “Refined Awami League” and even mentioned the names of specific leaders. He further warned that any attempt to reintegrate the Awami League into Bangladesh’s political sphere would be resisted.
Alam confirmed that the meeting did touch on topics such as “Refined Awami League with Saber Hossain, Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury, and Sohel Taj.”
He also acknowledged that they discussed various scenarios centering on the Awami League’s political future, including whether it would participate in elections, the implications of its presence or absence, and the broader impact on national stability.
However, he maintained that the conversation was not as extreme as Abdulla’s Facebook post made it seem.
While the discussion was more confident and direct than usual, Alam stressed that the primary takeaway was the army chief’s belief in the necessity of discussion for “Refined Awami League” for the sake of national stability.
Abdulla had also shared an exchange in which he reportedly asked, “How can you forgive a party that has neither apologized nor admitted its crimes?”
According to Abdulla, the army chief responded angrily, saying, “You people know nothing. You lack wisdom and experience. We have been in this service for at least forty years—longer than your age.”
Alam did not dispute that the exchange occurred but clarified that it did not happen during the formal meeting. Instead, it took place after the meeting had concluded, as the army chief was exiting the room and they were preparing to leave.
“I did not perceive his tone as one of anger,” Alam explained saying rather, he spoke like an elder reminding younger individuals of the weight of experience.
Alam also distanced himself from the “Hasnat vs. Wakar” slogan and the street protests that followed.
“Hasnat has his position, and the Army Chief, Mr. Wakar Uz Zaman, has his own. It is inappropriate to frame the Bangladesh Army as being in direct confrontation with the National Citizen Party, other political groups, or the people,” he noted.
Additionally, he dismissed calls for the army chief’s resignation, asserting that such demands did not reflect NCP’s official stance.
Alam also shared his personal viewpoint on political engagement with the military, stating that during periods of interim governance, various political parties maintain discreet communication with the Bangladesh Army to discuss national issues.
“Even if we disagreed with the army chief’s views, we could have debated them within our party, made informed decisions, and taken appropriate actions. If needed, we could have built alliances with other political groups or acted independently to oppose any iteration of the Awami League,” he argued.
Alam, however, criticized the decision to disclose the meeting details via Facebook, believing it could undermine trust in future high-level discussions.
“My statement differs from Hasnat’s in several aspects. Some may criticize me for this, but I believe our integrity has never been about simply going with the flow. It was not then, which is why we stood in front of Hasina’s regime’s guns.”
He reaffirmed his commitment to stand by Abdulla in times of danger but maintained that internal accountability is essential.
“But when I feel the need to correct a comrade’s words from my own position, I will do so,” he said adding that sense of responsibility is what that led them to stand at the forefront on June 6 at the Shaheed Minar for the movement against the quota system.
“Our moral consciousness will keep us on the right path. Self-criticism is what will take us to our desired destination.”
Alam concluded by stating that the NCP’s struggle against any version of the Awami League responsible for past atrocities—including the July genocide, the BDR massacre, and the Shapla Chattar crackdown—would continue.
Earlier, the army headquarters in a reaction to a newspaper query, termed Abdulla’s state on army highly “laughable”.