Sarjis Alam denies affidavit discrepancies, alleges smear campaign

Sarjis Alam, chief organiser of the northern region of Jatiya Nagorik Party (NCP) and a parliamentary candidate of 11-party alliance, on Wednesday rejected allegations of inconsistencies in his election affidavit, calling them the result of misinformation and a deliberate smear campaign.

Speaking at a press conference at NCP’s Panchagarh party office, Sarjis said election authorities had already verified his nomination papers and declared them valid after scrutiny. 

He said the returning officer and the deputy commissioner had publicly confirmed that all major information, including income tax returns, was in order.

Sarjis acknowledged that an error had appeared in the income figure of his tax return, describing it as an unintentional typing mistake by his legal counsel. 

He said the error; listing Tk 28 lakh instead of Tk 9 lakh, was identified during scrutiny and corrected by submitting a supplementary document, as permitted under electoral law.

Dismissing allegations circulating on social media that he helped Awami League leader Obaidul Quader flee the country, Sarjis described the claims as baseless and politically motivated. 

He said he had played a frontline leadership role in the July mass uprising and would never assist those he accused of planning violence against protesters.

Sarjis also criticised social media activist Elias Hossain, accusing him of spreading false information without accountability. 

He called for legal action against individuals who, he said, intentionally disseminate misinformation to damage reputations and advance political agendas, regardless of their location.

Leaders and activists of NCP, along with journalists from various media outlets, attended the press conference.

SI/SH