Mass Resignation of NCP Leaders in Rangamati

A significant upheaval has occurred within the National Citizens Party (NCP) in Rangamati, as 87 leaders and activists, including the coordinator of the Juraichhari Upazila committee, collectively resigned from their positions on Monday. The move was confirmed by Asim Chakma, a member of the Rangamati district committee and coordinator of the Juraichhari Upazila committee.

Details of the Resignation

The mass resignation took place during an emergency meeting convened on 9 March, where Asim Chakma and all members of the upazila committee unanimously decided to step down. The formal resignation letters were subsequently submitted to the Rangamati district committee for processing.

Joint Coordinator Debashish Chakma explained that the Juraichhari upazila committee, comprising 87 members, had received six-month approval from the district committee on 10 January of this year. However, the prevailing political circumstances prompted the committee members to collectively relinquish their roles.

Reasons Cited by Resigning Leaders

The departing leaders stated that they had joined the NCP inspired by the ideals of the July mass uprising, seeking to contribute to the formation of a new political framework and a reimagined Bangladesh. However, ahead of the upcoming 13th national parliamentary elections, the party’s decision to form an alliance with a major political party has, in their view, led the NCP to depart from its founding principles and ideological stance.

They expressed that, given the divergence between their own political ideals and the current positioning of the party, continuing in any organisational capacity was no longer feasible.

Asim Chakma remarked, “Under the present circumstances, it is impossible for us to continue party activities while upholding the principles we stand for. Consequently, I have resigned from all organisational posts, including my role as coordinator of the Juraichhari Upazila committee and member of the Rangamati district committee.”

Official Responses

Bipin Jyoti Chakma, coordinator of the Rangamati district branch of the NCP, confirmed receipt of the resignation letters. Meanwhile, NCP’s southern regional organiser, Monjila Sultana Jhuma, stated that she had learned of the mass resignations through social media and local sources. She noted that, according to organisational rules, formal resignations must be submitted to the committee that granted approval, and it remains unclear whether this procedure has been fully followed.

Jhuma also speculated that if the resignations were due to the party’s alliance with Jamaat, they would likely have occurred before the elections. Since the resignations came post-election, she suggested that other political pressures might be at play. However, Asim Chakma firmly denied that any external political influence was responsible for the decision.

Overview of Juraichhari Upazila Committee Resignation

The mass resignation represents a notable setback for the NCP in Rangamati, highlighting internal disagreements over party alliances and ideological direction. Political observers suggest that the decision may have broader implications for local party cohesion and electoral strategies in the region.