NCP leader Nahid Islam alleges deliberate budget cuts to northern districts due to political opposition

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Opposition Chief Whip and National Citizens Party (NCP) convener Nahid Islam has accused the government of intentionally slashing development budgets for the northern regions of Bangladesh as a political reprisal. Speaking at a farmers’ rally held Thursday at Tograihat High School ground in Kurigram, Islam alleged that because a majority of parliamentarians in districts such as Kurigram and Rangpur represent opposition parties, the region has been systematically excluded from major development projects.

The rally, organized under the “July Awakening for Nation Building” initiative, served as a platform for Islam to criticize the government’s failure to secure progress on regional infrastructure and economic policy. He specifically pointed to the Prime Minister’s recent visit to China, asserting that the mission failed to yield any tangible benefits for the long-debated Teesta River project, leaving the northern population further marginalized from their rights.

Reflecting on the recent mass uprising, Islam paid tribute to the residents of northern Bangladesh, particularly Abu Sayed of Rangpur, whose death became a defining symbol of the movement. He reaffirmed the NCP’s commitment to defending the voting and economic rights of the region’s inhabitants, who he noted had overwhelmingly supported opposition candidates in recent polls.

The discourse also highlighted the severe economic hardships facing local farmers, particularly potato growers who are forced to discard crops due to a lack of adequate cold storage facilities. Islam advocated for the modernization of the agricultural sector alongside investment in post-harvest storage infrastructure to prevent recurring financial losses.

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Furthermore, Islam leveled accusations against government procurement syndicates, claiming they are defrauding farmers during the paddy buying season. While the official procurement price stands at 1,440 taka per maund, he alleged that syndicates are forcing farmers to sell their produce for 1,140 taka, effectively siphoning approximately four crore taka per sub-district.

The event saw a significant turnout as supporters from across the district gathered to hear from NCP leadership, including member secretary Akhtar Hossain, local parliamentarian Atiqur Rahman Mujahid, and family members of those killed during the July demonstrations. The rally concluded with a call for systemic reforms to protect the interests of the agricultural community and ensure equitable development for the northern districts.