At least seven leaders of the Rangamati district committee of the National Citizen Party (NCP) have tendered their resignations from the party, citing what they described as a departure from its proclaimed ideological principles.
The resignations were formally submitted to the party's central leadership, according to sources within the organisation. Copies of the resignation letters have also been circulated on social media, triggering discussion within local political circles.
The leaders who stepped down include Joint Member Secretary Ujjal Chakma, Organising Secretary Dibakar Chakma, Organising Secretary Mission Chakma, Co Organising Secretary Ushapru Marma, Office Secretary Pranoy Bikash Chakma and members Binoy Chakma and Sulekha Chakma.
In a written statement accompanying her resignation, Ujjal Chakma said she had joined the party with considerable expectations about its political orientation and commitment to pluralism.
"I joined the NCP with many hopes and aspirations. I once considered the National Citizens Party to be a multidimensional and pluralistic party embodying the spirit of the July mass uprising," she wrote.
However, she alleged that the party had deviated from its earlier position during the most recent national election.
"But in the last national election, the National Citizens Party moved away from its independent ideology and formed an alliance with a large party," the letter stated.
"In such a situation, it is not possible for me to cherish that ideology. Therefore, from today I have resigned from all organisational activities of the National Citizens Party and immediately resigned from the post of the National Citizens Party from today," she added.
Attempts to reach Ujjal Chakma for further comment were unsuccessful as she could not be contacted on her mobile phone.
Meanwhile, Bipin Jyoti Chakma, convener of the Rangamati district committee of the party, said he had heard about the resignations but had not yet received any formal written communication.
"I have heard that many leaders of the convening committee of my district branch have resigned. However, they did not make any written application to me," he said.
He added that the party would examine the matter through its internal organisational mechanisms.
"However, we will investigate the reason for the sudden mass resignation in this way organisationally," he said.
