by
Dhaka, June 16, 2025: A major controversy has erupted within the National Citizen Party (NCP) as its Joint Convener Sarowar Tushar faces allegations of making inappropriate propositions to a female party member. The accusations surfaced after journalist Jawad Nirjhar leaked a 3-minute-50-second audio clip on his Facebook profile on Monday morning, claiming it to be part of a 47-minute conversation between Tushar and the unidentified female activist.
In the leaked audio, a voice resembling Tushar’s is heard engaging in a conversation with the woman, during which she accuses him of making an inappropriate proposal and requesting her photographs. The individual in the audio expresses surprise at the woman’s reaction, denies any ulterior motives behind the request for photos, and later apologizes for the proposition. The conversation reportedly took place around the time of Ramadan, with references to meeting after Iftar, though the identities of the two individuals in the recording could not be independently verified.
In his Facebook post accompanying the audio, Nirjhar wrote, “NCP Joint Convener Sarowar Tushar is making inappropriate proposals to a female party worker! He asks for girls’ photos late at night! Here is the key segment of his 47-minute conversation with the woman. The full audio is available at the link below.” In a follow-up post, Nirjhar demanded Tushar’s expulsion from the NCP, raising questions about the safety of women within the party and why Tushar, whom he labeled a “known sexual predator,” was elevated to a leadership position.
The allegations have triggered widespread outrage on social media, with several X posts condemning Tushar’s actions and calling for accountability. One user,
@Shahiddu1971
, described Tushar’s behavior as “immoral politics in the name of leadership,” while others echoed Nirjhar’s demand for his removal from the party. However, another user,
@sarowarhosen03
, alleged that Bangladesh’s intelligence agencies were behind the leak to sabotage Tushar’s political career, reflecting the polarized sentiment surrounding the issue.
The NCP, formed in February 2025 by student leaders of the July 2024 uprising, has positioned itself as a centrist, youth-led party advocating for a “second republic” and systemic reforms. This scandal threatens to tarnish its image as a progressive force in Bangladeshi politics, especially given its commitment to inclusivity and equality. As of now, the NCP leadership has not issued an official statement regarding the allegations or the leaked audio.
The controversy comes at a critical time for the NCP, which is preparing for national elections expected between December 2025 and June 2026. The party has been vocal about electoral reforms, including lowering the voting age to 16 and advocating for a new constitution. However, internal tensions and public scrutiny over incidents like this could undermine its credibility and electoral prospects.
Calls for transparency and accountability are growing, with many urging the NCP to address the allegations promptly to maintain public trust. The outcome of this scandal could have significant implications for the party’s future and its ability to challenge established political forces in Bangladesh..
AI/MR
