In a response to the allegations, made by NCP's chief organizer (South), Hasnat Abdullah, regarding military pressure to rehabilitate a "refined" faction of the Awami League, the army termed Hasnat's claims as "completely baseless political theatrics" and labeled his statements as a "laughable and immature fabrication."
The Bangladesh Army Headquarters has dismissed the allegations on Saturday, Sweden-based Netra News reported.
Hasnat Abdullah had earlier alleged in a Facebook post that a new political conspiracy was underway, orchestrated entirely by India to form a ‘Refined Awami League.’ He claimed that figures like Saber Hossain Chowdhury, Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, and Taposh were being positioned as the front-runners of this plan. The post stirred widespread discussions in Bangladesh’s political landscape.
In response, Netra News reached out to the Army Headquarters, which acknowledged that a meeting did take place on March 11 between Hasnat, another NCP leader Sarjis Alam, and the Chief of Army Staff, General Waqar-uz-Zaman. However, the army strongly denied that Hasnat was summoned or pressured regarding the rehabilitation of Awami League. Instead, they clarified that Hasnat and Sarjis themselves had requested the meeting out of personal interest.
According to Netra News, the Army Headquarters categorically refuted Hasnat’s allegations, stating:
"Hasnat Abdullah and Sarjis Alam had been requesting a courtesy meeting with the Chief of Army Staff for a long time. On March 11, 2025, Sarjis Alam called the military advisor to the Army Chief, seeking an appointment. The advisor then asked them to visit the Army Headquarters."
The statement further clarified that instead of arriving at the Army Headquarters as advised, Hasnat and Sarjis directly went to Sena Bhaban, where they waited to meet the Army Chief. After concluding his official duties, the Army Chief met with them and engaged in casual discussions.
Rejecting the notion that the Bangladesh Army—a highly disciplined and professional force—would pressure newly established political figures regarding the rehabilitation of the Awami League, the statement concluded that Hasnat’s claims were not only absurd but also a product of his imagination.
The Army Headquarters also mentioned that the Chief of Army Staff treated Hasnat and Sarjis with fatherly affection and merely wished them well on their new political journey.
