NCP’s Sarjis’ verbal showdown with BNP leader

A video of a verbal altercation between Sarjis Alam, the chief organizer (Northern Region) of the Jatiya Nagorik Party (NCP), and Motiar Rahman, a member of the convening committee of BNP’s Atwari Upazila in Panchagarh.

The incident took place on Thursday, March 27, in front of the Upazila Nirbahi Officer’s (UNO) office in Atwari, Sarjis’s home district. Prior to this, Sarjis had visited the UNO office, and as he was leaving, the argument with the BNP leader ensued.

In the video, Motiar Rahman is heard questioning Sarjis: “Under what authority have you come here?” In response, Sarjis asks him: “Under what authority are you questioning me?” To this, Motiar replies, “I am asking as a citizen.” As the conversation escalates, both raise their voices, and Sarjis repeatedly tells Motiar to “lower his tone.”

At the beginning of the video, Sarjis is heard explaining his purpose: “I want to ask them what can be done for the people of Atwari. If they tell me their problems and I can bring solutions, wouldn’t that be beneficial for Atwari?” In response, the BNP leader argues that such matters should be addressed through the Deputy Commissioner (DC) or UNO. Sarjis replies: “The UNO is not here now. I have invited the person currently in charge because I have an opportunity.”

Motiar Rahman then questions whether Sarjis has the authority to do so. Sarjis counters by pointing out a major issue in Northern Bangladesh: “The biggest problem here is that when someone tries to bring something for the people or work for their welfare, instead of cooperating, others try to pull them down.” He then directly asks Motiar: “Do you believe I can bring something beneficial for the upazila?” To which Motiar responds, “I agree.” Sarjis then says, “So I am gathering information on what is needed and what should be done.”

Motiar, however, raises a concern: “Before NCP, there was an opportunity, and we supported and saluted you. But now that you are a political party…” Sarjis replies, “The opportunity existed before, and it still exists. If Mirza Fakhrul Alamgir, as a party secretary general, can do this—even though he is neither an MP nor a minister—why can’t I?” At this point, Motiar insists, “This is not how meetings are conducted.” Sarjis clarifies: “This was not an official meeting. If it were, there would have been a resolution, and the UNO would have called it. I was simply asking them what Atwari needs and what its problems are, so I could see what solutions I could bring.”

Motiar then repeats his question: “Under what authority are you here?” Sarjis counters, “Under what authority are you asking?” Motiar again asserts, “I am asking as a citizen. A government official cannot meet with a political party leader unofficially. If elected, then yes, but not otherwise.” Sarjis challenges this by asking, “Under which law is this prohibited?” To which Motiar responds, “There is a law.”

As their voices rise, Sarjis repeatedly tells Motiar to “lower his tone.” He then argues, “Just as you have the right to ask questions, I have the right to inquire about the issues in Atwari and seek solutions.” Towards the end of the video, Sarjis adds, “If Mirza Fakhrul Alamgir can do this in Thakurgaon, then Sarjis Alam can do this anywhere in Bangladesh.”

Later, speaking to mass media, Sarjis Alam downplayed the incident: “Nothing major happened. I was holding a meeting in my own upazila when he came and questioned whether I had the right to do so. I simply responded that if BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir can hold meetings, then why can’t I?”

Meanwhile, BNP leader Motiar Rahman told: “I was at the Upazila Parishad and noticed a meeting taking place. Sarjis Alam was present there. But he no longer has the authority to hold such meetings. After the meeting ended, I questioned the participants, but they did not answer. At that point, Sarjis Alam told me that if Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir could hold meetings, then so could he.”