Barely four months into its formation, the National Citizen Party (NCP) — a nascent political platform led by young reformists — has plunged into controversy following allegations of misconduct against several of its central leaders.
At least five senior leaders were facing serious accusations ranging from breaches of party discipline and extortion to sexual harassment. These charges have not only tarnished the party’s image but have also raised concerns about its capacity for internal accountability and ethical governance.
The NCP was officially launched in late February 2025, six months after a major political transition in Dhaka that followed a mass student-led uprising which ousted former prime minister Sheikh Hasina.
With a vision to build a Bangladesh free of exploitation and inequality, the party was seen as a fresh alternative to the country’s entrenched political culture.
However, emerging scandals involving top leaders have cast a long shadow over those ambitions. The party has yet to secure registration from the Election Commission and has struggled to establish a presence at the grassroots level.
While party officials insist they are developing a strict code of conduct to prevent future misconduct, internal mechanisms appear weak, and disciplinary action has so far failed to curb the behaviour of some rogue leaders.
Political analysts suggest that these early controversies reflect deeper, systemic issues. This mirrors a broader pattern in Bangladeshi politics where power frequently trumps principle, said one observer. “In many ways, it’s a case of ‘absolute power corrupts absolutely’.”
To date, the party has issued show-cause notices to five leaders, three of whom have apologised, admitted their mistakes, and pledged not to reoffend.
These include Joint Chief Coordinator Abdul Hannan Masud and Central Executive Members Jubairul Alam Manik and Jubairul Hasan Arif.
Former Joint Member Secretary ABM Gazi Salauddin Tanvir, however, remains suspended. He stands accused of meddling in the appointment of deputy commissioners and allegedly accepting kickbacks from textbook procurement contracts under the National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) in April.
While talking to Times of Bangladesh, Tanvir denied the accusations, calling them “false and baseless.” He said he has already presented his defense to the party’s disciplinary committee.
“Had there been any truth to the allegations, someone from the ministry would have come forward. That absence of evidence is my biggest strength,” he said. “If any proof is found, I will willingly surrender to law enforcement.”
Tanvir added that his case is now under review by the party’s top body, known as the “Super 10.”
“I believe the decision will be fair, and I expect to return to active duties in the party,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Anti-Corruption Commission has launched an investigation into the allegations against Tanvir.
Meanwhile, Joint Convener Sarwar Tushar is facing allegations of harassing a senior female party member. A leaked audio clip, allegedly capturing a private conversation between him and the woman, has gone viral on social media, sparking public outrage and accusations of misconduct.
Tushar has been instructed to submit a written explanation by June 22 and refrain from party activities pending the outcome of an internal investigation.
In a Facebook post on Thursday, he dismissed the allegations, claiming the audio was manipulated and circulated with malicious intent to damage his political standing.
“The woman in question is neither a leader nor a member of the NCP,” he wrote. “This is part of a smear campaign orchestrated by foreign agents to weaken the NCP.”
In response to growing criticism, party officials say they are working to restore order and uphold ethical standards.
“We evaluate all allegations thoroughly. If an issue can be resolved through dialogue, we issue warnings. But repeated misconduct is met with stronger action,” said Joint Member Secretary Mir Arshadul Hoque, a member of the party’s disciplinary committee.
“Show-cause notices are also a message — no one is above party discipline,” he added.
Joint Convener Anik Roy said, “We are committed to building a disciplined political structure. Some individuals accused of wrongdoing were not officially inducted, which made earlier intervention difficult.”
He confirmed that a decision on Tanvir’s case is imminent. “We follow due process: first a notice, then an evidence-based review, and finally disciplinary action.”
Professor Sabbir Ahmed of the University of Dhaka believes the controversies expose both the party’s internal weaknesses and the broader political environment.
“They initially said they’d act as a pressure group — that might have been a better starting point for a new initiative,” he said.
“Given the current political culture, it’s no surprise that ethics are often compromised for power,” Ahmed added.
“Leadership roles should never be handed to those with questionable pasts,” he said.
Repeated attempts through phone calls and text messages by Times of Bangladesh to contact NCP Convener Nahid Islam and Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary were unsuccessful.
The NCP was officially formed on February 28, 2025, with former interim government ICT adviser Nahid Islam serving as its convener.