Sundarganj (Gaibandha) Correspondent

A political storm has erupted in Gaibandha over the presence of banned organization Chhatra League leader Saddam Talukder at a meeting organized by the National Citizens Party (NCP).

Saddam Talukder is the General Secretary of the Chhatra League’s Sripur Union unit in Sundarganj upazila. He hails from Khidir village in the same union and is the son of Dula Talukder.

The meeting was held on Friday  at the Gaibandha District Council Auditorium. The agenda included strengthening the NCP’s organizational activities, forming upazila committees, and discussions related to party registration. Leaders from various upazilas of the district participated in the event.

Present at the meeting were NCP’s Joint Chief Organizers Asadullah Galib and Sadia Farzan Dina, Joint Convenor Dr. Atik Mujahid, and Central Organizer (Northern Region) Nazmul Hasan Sohag.

However, what overshadowed the meeting's discussions was the presence of Saddam Talukder, General Secretary of the Chhatra League’s Sripur Union unit in Sundarganj.

It is reported that the current committee was formed in 2013 and still remains active, with Saddam Talukder holding the same position. He contested for the post of Vice Chairman in the 2024 upazila parishad election but was defeated.

Regarding this, Hafizur Rahman, President of the Chhatra League’s Sripur Union unit, said, “Our committee was formed through the 2013 council. I was elected president and Saddam Talukder general secretary. That committee is still in effect.”

Commenting on Saddam's presence at the NCP meeting, he added, “After enjoying the benefits of the party in good times, if someone turns away or betrays it in bad times, there's hardly anything left to say. Ideological shifts may be personal, but past identities cannot be erased completely. He is still officially our General Secretary.”

The presence of a leader from a banned student organization has sparked outrage within the NCP. Some NCP leaders stated, “Allowing a controversial leader raised under fascist political ideology into the party goes against our ideological stance.”

They further said, “NCP aims to emerge as an alternative political force. There’s no room for controversial or traditional political figures in this movement.”

This incident has also drawn heavy criticism on social media. Many commented, “If a new party is built with old political faces, NCP's message of change will remain mere rhetoric.”

Regarding the matter, NCP Central Organizer (Northern Region) Nazmul Hasan Sohag said, “I do not know anyone by the name of Saddam Talukder.”