National Citizen Party (NCP) Chief Organiser (North) Sarjis Alam has stated that the idea of a "Refined Awami League" was merely an opinion rather than a proposal, expressing "some disagreements" with the interpretation of NCP Chief Organiser (South) Hasnat Abdullah regarding their 11 March meeting with Bangladesh Army Chief General Waker-uz-Zaman.
"The way Hasnat observed and received the army chief's statement that day and wrote about it on Facebook differs somewhat from my perspective," Sarjis wrote in a post on his verified Facebook page at 12:12pm on Sunday (23 March).
His statement came hours after Netra News reported that the Bangladesh Army denied Hasnat's allegations that senior military officials pressured him and two others to accept a so-called "refined" faction of the Awami League.
"However, the way Hasnat's Facebook post portrayed the tone, I personally feel that the conversation wasn't that extreme. Of course, compared to any other day, the conversation was definitely more straightforward and confident," Sarjis stated.
He further elaborated that there was a "clear and direct opinion" expressed that, for the sake of the country's stability, the participation of a refined Awami League in the election was necessary.
"That day [11 March], Hasnat and I went to speak with the army chief. Another important member of our party was also supposed to accompany us. However, due to a personal issue at the last moment, they couldn't go," Sarjis explained at the beginning of his Facebook post.
He continued, "Let me make it clear from the beginning — we were not summoned to the cantonment that day. Rather, we used to exchange messages with the army chief's military adviser whenever necessary for any queries or clarifications."
Sarjis also revealed that after the army chief’s stern speech on 26 February on the anniversary of the Pilkhana massacre, where he declared "Enough is enough," he had reached out to the military adviser to inquire whether they perceived anything unusual or concerning.
"In response, he [the military adviser] asked me, 'Do you want to discuss this directly?' I said, 'we could'. Following that, we met the army chief that very day. Inside the designated room at the Sena Bhaban, there were just three of us — the army chief, Hasnat, and myself."
Sarjis emphasised that different individuals interpret opinions in different ways.
"From my viewpoint, I do not see the statement made that day as a direct 'proposal' but rather as a 'straightforward expression of opinion'."
He further clarified, "There is a distinction between 'expressing an opinion' and 'making a proposal'. However, compared to previous instances, the army chief spoke in a more straightforward manner that day."
"Regarding the idea of 'pressure' for a refined Awami League, I did not perceive it as pressure being exerted. Rather, he was confidently stating that if a refined Awami League does not emerge, long-term issues will arise in the country's situation and among political parties," he added.
