Special Correspondent :
The National Citizen Party (NCP) on Wednesday issued show-cause notices to five of its central leaders for staying in Cox’s Bazar during the observance of the first anniversary of the historic July Mass Uprising Day, allegedly without prior notice to the party.
The notices were served to Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary, Chief Organiser (North) Sarjis Alam, Chief Organiser (South) Hasnat Abdullah, Joint Convenor Khalid Saifullah, and Senior Joint Member Secretary Tasnim Jara.
All five were reportedly in Cox’s Bazar on August 5, the day the NCP-led “July Declaration” was formally presented at a national event in Dhaka to mark one year since the mass movement that ousted the Awami League regime.
According to the party’s official communication, the five leaders have been asked to explain their absence in writing within 24 hours by appearing in person before NCP Convener Nahid Islam and Member Secretary Akhter Hossain.
Joint Member Secretary Saleh Uddin Sifat, who issued the notices, said the leaders’ unexplained presence in Cox’s Bazar sparked public controversy, with many questioning their commitment to the party’s cause on such a symbolic day.
Speculation intensified when a rumor circulated on social media alleging that the NCP leaders were meeting with former US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter D Haas at a hotel in Cox’s Bazar.
Although the former diplomat is not currently in Bangladesh, the speculation prompted a small group of BNP activists to stage a protest in front of the Sea Pearl Beach Resort and Spa.
The NCP was formed by a coalition of student and youth leaders who played a pivotal role in the July 2024 uprising that led to the collapse of the Awami League government. The party has since sought to position itself as a key force in the country’s political transition.
Party insiders suggest that the leadership is taking the matter seriously to maintain internal discipline and public trust during a sensitive phase of political consolidation.
