Highlights
- Azad Khan Bhasani resigns from National Citizen Party (NCP)
- Resignation follows reports of NCP forming an alliance with Jamaat
- He was the chief coordinator of NCP’s Farmers’ Wing
- Cites ideological differences and lack of commitment to mass-oriented politics
- Says decision taken to uphold the ideals of Liberation War and July uprising
Azad Khan Bhasani, grandson of legendary leader Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhasani, has announced his resignation from the National Citizen Party (NCP). The announcement came on Sunday night through a post on his personal Facebook account.
His resignation comes amid widespread reports that NCP is forming an electoral alliance with Jamaat to contest the 13th National Parliamentary Election. Following the announcement of the alliance, several officeholders have stepped down from the party, and Azad Khan Bhasani has now joined that list.
Azad Khan Bhasani was serving as the Chief Coordinator of NCP’s Farmers’ Wing.
Why He Joined NCP
In his post, Azad Khan Bhasani wrote that he joined NCP with hope and dreams inspired by the youth who led the July mass uprising. He said,
“অনেক আশা ও স্বপ্ন নিয়ে জুলাই গণ-অভ্যুত্থানে নেতৃত্বদানকারী তরুণদের হাত ধরে গঠিত জাতীয় নাগরিক পার্টি (এনসিপি)-তে আমি যুক্ত হয়েছিলাম।”
Translation: “I joined the National Citizen Party (NCP), formed by the youths who led the July mass uprising, with great hope and dreams.”
He said he viewed the July uprising as a continuation of the unfinished struggle of the Liberation War.
“জুলাই গণ-অভ্যুত্থানকে মহান মুক্তিযুদ্ধের অসমাপ্ত লড়াইয়ের এক ধারাবাহিক অধ্যায় হিসেবে আত্মস্থ করেছি।”
“I embraced the July mass uprising as a continuing chapter of the unfinished struggle of the Liberation War.”
Disappointment With Party Direction
Azad Khan Bhasani said he joined the party inspired by Maulana Bhasani’s ideology of mass-oriented, anti-imperialist, and anti-discrimination politics. Said,
“মজলুম জননেতা মওলানা ভাসানীর দেখানো গণমানুষনির্ভর, আধিপত্যবাদ-সাম্রাজ্যবাদ ও বৈষম্যবিরোধী রাজনীতির স্বপ্ন থেকেই… এনসিপি-এর সঙ্গে যুক্ত হই।”
Translation: “I joined NCP inspired by Maulana Bhasani’s vision of people-centric, anti-imperialist, and anti-discrimination politics.”
However, he expressed disappointment with what he experienced in reality:
“বাস্তব অভিজ্ঞতায় নতুন বাংলাদেশ বিনির্মাণের ঐতিহাসিক দায়বদ্ধতা, গণমানুষের প্রতি দরদ ও ত্যাগের যে গভীরতা প্রয়োজন এখানে তার স্পষ্ট ঘাটতি আমি অনুভব করেছি।”
Translation: “In reality, I felt a clear lack of the historical responsibility, empathy for the masses, and spirit of sacrifice needed to build a new Bangladesh.”
He also said the party failed to create a strong new political identity.
Read More: Mahfuz Alam Says He Will Not Join NCP–Jamaat Alliance
Reason for Resignation
Azad Khan Bhasani said that although he had stepped back from active involvement for some time, the current situation made it impossible for him to continue. He said,
“মহান মুক্তিযুদ্ধ ও জুলাই গণ-অভ্যুত্থানের ঐতিহাসিক দায়বদ্ধতা ও মওলানা ভাসানীর রাজনৈতিক আদর্শের পক্ষাবলম্বনই আমার কাছে সর্বাধিক গুরুত্বপূর্ণ হয়ে উঠেছে।”
Translation: “Upholding the historical responsibility of the Liberation War and the July uprising, and the political ideals of Maulana Bhasani, has become most important to me.”
He added:
“সেই দায় ও আদর্শের প্রতি অবিচল থাকতেই আজ জাতীয় নাগরিক পার্টি (এনসিপি)-এর সঙ্গে আমার আনুষ্ঠানিক সম্পর্কচ্ছেদের সিদ্ধান্ত গ্রহণ করছি।”
Translation: “To remain steadfast to those responsibilities and ideals, I am formally severing my ties with the National Citizen Party today.”
Message to the Party
In his farewell message, Azad Khan Bhasani apologized if he had hurt anyone during his short tenure and wished the party well.
He added:
“গণমানুষের রাষ্ট্র বিনির্মাণের সংগ্রামে তারা যেন সঠিক পথ খুঁজে পায় এই প্রত্যাশাই থাকল।”
Translation: “I hope they find the right path in the struggle to build a state for the masses.”
Additional Comment
Speaking later, Azad Khan Bhasani said the decision was taken after careful ideological consideration. He expressed,
“ভেবে চিন্তে আদর্শিক জায়গা থেকেই এ সিদ্ধান্ত নিয়েছি।”
Translation: “I took this decision thoughtfully, based on ideological grounds.”
It may be noted that on 6 September, Azad Khan Bhasani was appointed Chief Coordinator of the preparatory committee of NCP’s Farmers’ Wing.
Source: Kaler Kantho
