A group of top National Citizen Party (NCP) leaders came under public scrutiny on Tuesday after their presence in Cox’s Bazar coincided with the first anniversary of the July Uprising, leading to speculation about their absence from a key commemorative event in Dhaka.

Rumors quickly circulated on social media claiming that the NCP leaders were meeting with former U.S. ambassador to Bangladesh, Peter D Haas, at the Sea Pearl Beach Resort and Spa. The speculation prompted a protest by local leaders and activists of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), who gathered outside the resort in the afternoon.

Nasiruddin Patwary, chief coordinator of the NCP, dismissed the allegations, saying, “This is nothing but false propaganda. Certain media outlets are spreading misinformation about our visit to Cox’s Bazar.”

The NCP delegation included several senior party members, such as northern region chief organiser Sarjis Alam, southern region organiser Hasnat Abdullah, and senior joint member secretary Tasnim Jara.

Despite the widespread rumors, diplomatic sources confirmed that Peter D Haas is currently in Washington, not in Bangladesh.

The NCP, formed by youth and student leaders who played a leading role in the July movement that resulted in the removal of the Awami League government on August 5, 2024, faced criticism for the timing of their trip. Their absence from the Dhaka event marking the uprising’s anniversary raised eyebrows among political observers.

In response to the rumors, over 100 BNP supporters staged a peaceful demonstration outside the hotel, expressing their suspicions over possible foreign interference.

Selim Siraji, a BNP leader from Ukhiya upazila, said, “We suspect there are attempts to influence the upcoming elections. Secret meetings with foreigners threaten the sovereignty of our country, and we won’t tolerate it.”

Echoing this concern, Juba Dal district unit member Rafiqul Huda Chowdhury stated, “We will not allow foreign hands to dictate our future. The lack of transparency surrounding this meeting has alarmed us, and we demand clarity. Our demonstration today was peaceful but necessary.