Sarjis Alam, chief organizer of the National Citizens Party’s (NCP) northern region, said on Monday that the party will pursue legal action if necessary to obtain the electoral symbol “Shapla” (water lily). He warned the Election Commission against acting arbitrarily toward the NCP and said the commission must either grant the Shapla symbol or provide a lawful explanation for refusing it. Speaking to reporters after a coordination meeting of the NCP’s district and upazila committees at the Freedom Fighters Complex conference hall in Joypurhat town, Sarjis said, “There is no legal barrier to receiving the Shapla symbol. The Election Commission cannot act capriciously toward the NCP. Either it must give us the Shapla or it must explain legally why it cannot. If necessary, we will fight for the Shapla in the courts and politically on the streets.”

Sarjis added that the NCP seeks to represent the people of a future Bangladesh as a ruling party or, failing that, to serve as a strong opposition. “We will not engage in politics to become a tame opposition party like some others,” he said, signaling the party’s intent to pursue an independent, assertive role in national politics.

Also present at the meeting were NCP central organizing secretary Imran Emon, joint chief organizer Sakib Mahdi, and district and upazila leaders including district joint coordinator Omar Ali Babu.