Hasnat Abdullah, Southern Region chief organiser for National Citizen Party (NCP), has strongly criticised the current interim government’s performance and alleged a new mechanism of electoral fraud.
Speaking at a march in Noakhali on Friday, held to press for a five-point charter of demands – including the implementation of a referendum, resolution of the electricity crisis, and control of commodity prices – the NCP leader claimed that while votes were stolen before results in the 2014, 2018, and 2024 elections, they are now being “stolen” after the results are announced.
“We saw that 70 per cent of the people were in favour of a referendum, but after the election, this vote was made to disappear,” Hasnat Abdullah stated.
He remarked that while vote theft existed before July, it occurred prior to the publication of results; however, after July, the theft has continued, occurring in broad daylight following the announcement of results.
Criticism of government performance
The NCP leader expressed dissatisfaction with the interim government’s six-month tenure, particularly regarding employment. He noted that although a promise was made to ensure one crore jobs, fewer than one lakh youths have found employment in the last six months.
“Our unemployed brothers are still moving from office to office with their CVs,” he said, adding that the momentum of BCS examinations seen at the start of the administration has stalled, with no new circulars issued recently.
Regarding the national energy situation, Hasnat Abdullah criticised the Power Minister for claiming in Parliament that there is no load-shedding. He countered that, in reality, citizens are without electricity for 16 hours a day.
“The common people have been handed lanterns and candles instead of electricity,” he said, alleging that the only places where power does not go out are the minister’s home and office.
Political outlook and local elections Addressing BNP activists present at the rally, the NCP leader lamented that dedicated members who endured 16-17 years of persecution are being sidelined now that the party is in power, while “hybrids” engage in extortion and “tender-bazi.”
He announced that the doors of the NCP remain open for those who wish to practice clean, pro-country politics.
Looking ahead, Hasnat Abdullah expressed confidence in his party’s growth, stating that while they started with six members in Parliament, they aim to secure over 100 seats in the next assembly to become the true voice of the people.
During the event, the NCP announced candidates for the Hatiya Upazila Chairman position and the Noakhali Municipality for the upcoming local government elections. The lawmaker also expressed his sympathies for those affected by floods in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, including Bandarban and Khagrachhari.
The meeting was presided over by Kazi Tanveer, district NCP convener, and featured speeches from central leaders including Ali Ahsan Junaid (central joint convener); Abdul Hannan Masud (central senior chief coordinator); Nizam Uddin (central joint convener); and Tarikul Islam (central convener of Jubo Shakti).
Other central members in attendance included Mohi Uddin Roni, Tuhin Imran, Khaleduzzaman Antar, and Yasin Arafat.
