NCP Calls for Government to Seize Assets of Awami League and Its Leaders

The National Citizen Party (NCP) has called on the interim government to confiscate all assets belonging to the Awami League following the suspension of its political registration and a ban on its activities.

The party also demanded that the assets of the Awami League-led 14-Party Alliance be seized and their political operations outlawed.

The NCP leaders presented their demands in a press conference outside the party’s temporary office in Banglamotor at 8pm on Monday.

NCP Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain said, “On the 5th of August, the people of Bangladesh made a political decision to reject the fascist Awami League. We urged the government to turn that decision into a law.

“We welcome the action taken [on Monday] against the Awami League for its role in ‘genocide’.”

He added, "But the trial of the Awami League's ghosts and collaborators is still not visibly under way.

“We urge the authorities to ensure that police arrest all Awami League leaders and members, and those from its associate bodies, wherever they are found.”

Calling for the seizure of property of all those under the proposed ban, the NCP leader said: “For the last 16 years, the Awami League has deprived the people of their voting rights, amassed capital, and laundered the nation’s wealth.

“The ill-got assets of the Awami League and its allies should be confiscated and used for the country’s welfare.”

On the “sluggish” progress of the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), he said: “The tribunal does not have the capacity to handle cases against the Awami League.

“We call on the interim government to make necessary arrangements to enable the tribunal to function effectively.”

Referring to the government’s 30-working-day timeline outlined in the July Proclamation, Akhtar warned that if the process stretches into the 31st working day, the people of Bangladesh will take to the streets again.

On the July proclamation, NCP Chief Coordinator Nasir Uddin Patwary said: “Those who still operate as the ghosts of the Awami League in the Secretariat, schools, colleges, universities, cantonments, and other institutions — those who still work for the Mujibist ideology — I issue this final warning: come to your senses; look at the blood of the martyrs.

“If you wish to continue living in Bangladesh, you must abandon the Mujibist ideology and come down to the side of the people.”

To the political parties, Nasir said, “Those who joined the mass uprising on the 5th of August — today, political ambitions have taken precedence over the nation. We ask them to come to their senses.

“We don’t want any other party to meet the same fate as the Awami League,” he added. “Sign the July Proclamation and present it to the people without delay.

“Or declare publicly that you reject it — but say it to the people, and be judged in their court.”

Calling for the trial of the Awami League’s alliance partners, he said: “For 15 years, the 14-Party Alliance rode on the back of this regime and helped steal votes. They were partners in loot, collaborators in murder.”

Nasir said: “We urge the Election Commission to ban the 14-Party Alliance before the people march towards the commission as they did towards the [State Guest House] Jamuna.”

He also warned those in the cultural arena who supported the Awami League. “For 15 years, fascist elements from Kolkata and Delhi infiltrated our culture. They used drama and film to betray the people by labelling Islamic communities as militants.

“If the interim government cannot put them on trial, we will do so in the people’s court,” he said.

Nasir said removing the Awami League also meant “erasing the 1972 Mujibist Constitution”.

“We want to write a new Constitution with the blood of the people’s Uprising — of farmers, workers, labourers, porters.”

He added, “We don’t want any amendment games. A new Constitution must be drafted through a Constituent Assembly election.

“Everyone, especially students and the youth, must stay united and alert to defeat Mujibist forces politically, culturally, and economically.”

NCP Senior Joint Coordinator Samantha Sharmin said, “We believe this gazette was essential to tackle Bangladesh’s fascist structure.

“The Awami League’s collaborators who are still in the country have attacked our leaders and activists, their homes, and even their parents. Their assets remain untouched.

“The 15-year grip of the Awami League will not be undone in just a day.

“Through the issuance of the directive, we have made progress. But the July Proclamation has yet to be enacted. We must remain active on the ground for that.

“Political interference continues to disrupt the tribunal, and we are watching closely,” she added.

The party’s Senior Joint Member Secretary Tasnim Jara said, “[On Monday] we’ve witnessed the first step in dismantling the fascist structure the Awami League built in Bangladesh. Their trial must be ensured.

“Abolishing the fascist structure will be a long-term struggle. We need the people’s support for that.”