Postmortem on NCP central leader Asif Nehal’s reckless politics and extortion

North Bengal Correspondent. Chapainawabganj, July 20, 2025.

Once entering politics under the shadow of Chhatra League leaders and activists, and later gaining important positions in the National Citizens Party (NCP) during the change of power, Asif Nehal has become the talked-about face of Chapainawabganj. From student politics to district-level control, even allegations of influence over teenage gangs and government institutions – everything has now been the subject of much discussion and criticism.

From Chhatra League to NCP: The color of politics has changed

Asif Nehal developed closeness with the central leaders of the Chhatra League while he was a student at Dhaka University. Capitalizing on that closeness, he claimed to have central blessings and occupied the post of cultural secretary of the Chapainawabganj Municipality Chhatra League. At the same time, his elder sister Nausaba Naurin Neha became the cultural secretary of the Sadar Upazila Jubo League, and together the two siblings became influential in district Awami politics.

However, after the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, the scenario changed. Asif, who had been clinging to the positions of Chhatra League and Jubilee League, now joined the student movement against discrimination. Using his old student leader identity and DU quota, he established himself in the central committee of the NCP.

Not leadership, but replacement: A movement within a movement

Asif, ignoring the active and dedicated leaders and workers from the beginning of the movement, formed the district committee with his loyalists. This created widespread unrest and anger in the district-level leadership. Divisions emerged within the NCP itself. He faced one complaint after another on social media.

Allegations of extortion, commission trading and litigation

After taking the leadership, Asif Nehal faced widespread criticism over allegations of extortion, commissions for contracting work, and lobbying for cases. There are allegations that he has collected large sums of money from some Awami League, Jubo League, Chhatra League leaders and businessmen in Chapainawabganj district. There is evidence of regular meetings and financial transactions with controversial leaders like Samiul Haque Liton, Hasan Rashiduzzaman Biplob and Hammad Ali.

Dominance in the shadow of teenage gangs

After the fall of the government, Asif established his own dominance by controlling the city’s teenage gangs, leaving them powerless. The clash between teenage gangs surrounding the Harimohan Government High School alumni association tournament spread panic in the city. It is alleged that outside gang members led by his follower Sabbir participated in the attack.

Intervention in government offices and influence on appointments

Recently, allegations have been made against Asif’s loyalists for threatening a senior doctor while trying to influence a recruitment at Sadar Hospital. This sparked anger among the medical community, which was later apparently resolved with the intervention of senior party leaders. However, the allegations of influencing various departments of the district administration, including the hospital, have become stronger.

Internal anger and isolation within the NCP

There have also been allegations against Asif Nehal of threatening the opposition by appointing people of his choice in the district committee. Many dedicated NCP workers are now turning their backs on politics. Although several complaints have been made to the Centre, no effective action has been taken so far, said the leaders, who did not wish to be named.

The final question: How far will this reckless politics continue?

The image of the NCP in Chapainawabganj is in question today. The mountain of allegations against Asif Nehal, who started his journey from student politics to national politics, is growing day by day. His political image is trapped between these four walls – extortion, terrorism, gang control and arbitrariness. Local leaders say that if the central leadership does not take action now, the NCP will be completely isolated from the people.