The Shapla (Water Lily) will be the alternative to the ‘Boat’ symbol, proclaimed Sarwar Tusher, Joint Convener of the National Citizens’ Party (NCP). He asserted that the “Boat has sunk, and the Shapla will float.”
Sarwar Tusher made the remarks while addressing a coordination meeting for the greater Faridpur region at the Ambika Memorial Hall in Faridpur on Friday evening.
Focus on Election Symbol and Electoral Commission
The NCP leader expressed confidence that the Shapla symbol would be secured for the party’s electoral campaign. “If the Election Commission’s symbol list includes the Shapla Bud, then the Shapla Flower can also be included,” he stated. “Since the Election Commission included the Shapla Bud, that bud will bloom into a flower after a few days in the water. The NCP will contest the election using the Shapla symbol.”
Addressing the Election Commission, Sarwar Tusher criticized its handling of the issue. “You have muddied the waters enough. Do not let ego dictate your decision simply because you initially said no,” he warned. “This Election Commission appears to be influenced by a specific party, raising serious doubts about whether the upcoming election can be conducted fairly under their watch.”
Criticism of BNP and Jatiya Party
Sarwar Tusher also directed sharp criticism towards the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). He argued that despite the BNP campaigning for votes, the upcoming ‘July Charter’ would pass overwhelmingly even if 30% of votes went against it.
“They have learned nothing from the past,” he commented. He highlighted that the BNP’s founder, Ziaur Rahman, had organized a ‘Yes-No’ vote before his presidential election, yet the party is now opposing the current ‘Yes-No’ vote proposal. “If they stand against the July Charter, the public will crush them and throw them into the Padma River,” he declared.
The NCP leader did not spare the Jatiya Party (JP), claiming they have caused the second-most harm to the nation after the Awami League. “Their leader Ershad is in the grave, and the Jatiya Party will follow,” he asserted. “They are agents of India. The people of the country will not accept the attempt to establish the Awami League under the banner of the Jatiya Party.”
The meeting, presided over by Syeda Nilima Dola, NCP’s Chief Coordinator for Faridpur, saw speeches from Joint Member Secretary Nizam Uddin and Faridpur Divisional Organiser Russel Ahmed. Several hundred NCP activists from Faridpur, Rajbari, Madaripur, and Shariatpur participated in the event.
