National Citizen Party (NCP) Chief Organiser (North) Sarjis Alam has expressed “some disagreements” with the statements made by NCP Chief Organiser (South) Hasnat Abdullah regarding their meeting with Bangladesh Army Chief General Waker-uz-Zaman on 11 March. Sarjis clarified that the notion of a “Refined Awami League” was presented as an opinion rather than a proposal.
In a post on his verified Facebook page at 12:12 pm today (23 March), Sarjis stated, “The way Hasnat observed and interpreted the army chief’s remarks and subsequently shared them on Facebook differs slightly from my own understanding.”
His comments came shortly after a report by Netra News revealed that the Bangladesh Army had denied Hasnat’s claims that senior military officials had pressured him and two others to accept a so-called “Refined” faction of the Awami League.
The Army Headquarters, in a statement to Netra News, confirmed that General Waker met Hasnat and Sarjis on 11 March in Dhaka Cantonment. However, the army described Hasnat’s allegations as “hilarious and an immature array of stories,” dismissing his Facebook post as “nothing but a complete political stunt.”
Sarjis, however, offered a more nuanced perspective. “The tone conveyed in Hasnat’s Facebook post, in my opinion, exaggerated the nature of the discussion. While the conversation was indeed more direct and assertive compared to previous meetings, it did not amount to an official proposal,” he wrote. According to Sarjis, the army chief expressed the opinion that the participation of a “Refined Awami League” in future elections would be beneficial for the country’s stability.
Sarjis clarified that the meeting was initiated at their request. “We were not summoned to the cantonment. Rather, we had been in communication with the army chief’s military adviser regarding various matters. Following a particularly stern speech by the army chief on 26 February, marking the anniversary of the Pilkhana massacre, I reached out for further clarification. This led to the meeting on 11 March,” he explained.
He further elaborated that only three individuals were present during the meeting: the army chief, Hasnat, and himself. “Different people interpret conversations differently. From my perspective, the army chief’s remarks were a straightforward expression of opinion rather than a formal proposal,” Sarjis emphasised.
Addressing claims of pressure, Sarjis said, “I did not perceive any coercion regarding the ‘Refined Awami League’. Instead, the army chief confidently shared his belief that without a reformed Awami League, long-term political and national challenges may arise.”
Sarjis also confirmed that other figures mentioned in Hasnat’s post—such as Saber Hossain, Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury, and Sohel Taj—were indeed part of the discussion. The conversation touched on whether the Awami League would return to politics, the implications of its participation or absence from elections, and the broader impact on the country’s stability.
He acknowledged that a specific exchange referenced by Hasnat did occur but clarified that it took place outside the meeting room after the formal discussion had ended. “This conversation happened while we were saying our goodbyes, just before getting into the car,” he added.
Rejecting the framing of a personal conflict, Sarjis stated, “The narrative of ‘Hasnat vs Waker’ is misleading. Hasnat and the army chief occupy distinct positions. It is inappropriate to present the Bangladesh Army in opposition to the National Citizen Party, other political parties, or the public.”
Sarjis also distanced the NCP from demands circulating online calling for the army chief’s resignation. “Such calls are not reflective of our party’s stance,” he asserted.
Reflecting on political engagement with the military, Sarjis noted that it is common for political representatives to maintain private contact with the Bangladesh Army, especially during times of interim governance. He suggested that disagreements over the meeting could have been handled internally. “We could have discussed these matters within the party forum, made decisions accordingly, and coordinated with other political parties before taking any public stance,” he wrote.
Sarjis expressed dissatisfaction with Hasnat’s decision to publicise the meeting via social media. “Sharing these details through a Facebook post was inappropriate and may undermine trust in future discussions with key stakeholders,” he remarked.
While acknowledging his differences with Hasnat, Sarjis reiterated his loyalty to his colleague. “If anyone threatens Hasnat, I will stand by him. But when necessary, I will also correct him,” he asserted.
He reflected on their shared history, recalling their leadership in the early days of the anti-quota movement. “Our conscience drove us to the front line on 6 June, when only a few dared to challenge the quota system at Shaheed Minar,” he wrote.
Concluding his statement, Sarjis affirmed his belief in self-criticism and ideological commitment. “Our conscience will guide us on the right path, and our willingness to engage in self-correction will help us achieve our goals,” he stated firmly. He vowed to continue their struggle against any iteration of the Awami League involved in past incidents such as the July genocide, the BDR massacre, and the Shapla Chattar crackdown.
