Kurigram, Sep 14 (V7N) - In Kurigram, leaders and activists of the Farmers' Party have protested the formation of the new district convening committee, accusing it of including opportunists, defectors, and individuals with substance abuse issues while excluding dedicated party members. They are demanding the dissolution of the newly announced committee.

On Friday (September 13), a protest march commenced from Dada Mor in the district town, proceeding through the streets and ending with a rally at Shapla Chattar. The rally was led by former district convenor Khalilur Rahman Khalil, with speeches from former joint convenor Mohibul Huda Robin, Kurigram Farmers' Party Chilmari Upazila Convenor Mohammad Sirajul Islam Apon, Fulbari Upazila member secretary Sirajul Islam Sera, and other district and upazila leaders and activists. The speakers criticized the new committee as a "pocket committee" and demanded its immediate annulment. They also called for the formation of a new committee composed of those who had been actively involved in previous party activities.

Former convenor Khalilur Rahman Khalil stated, "The newly announced convening committee of the Kurigram District Farmers' Party, made public on September 12, includes individuals with drug problems and those who have defected from the party. This committee appears to have been formed in exchange for money. Abdul Khaleq, BNP's assistant organizing secretary for the Rangpur division, is responsible for this. He arranged for the committee's approval through financial means. His presence during the approval process serves as proof. Despite being our supposed guardian, he has created a biased committee."

Addressing the issue of drug addicts within the committee, Khalil claimed, "I confidently assert that a simple drug test will confirm our allegations."

Abdul Khaleq, the BNP assistant organizing secretary for Rangpur, denied any involvement in the committee's approval process. He stated, "The formation of the Farmers' Party committee is the responsibility of the party's central committee. We had previously formed a convening committee, but they failed to establish a thana-level committee or carry out activities. The central leadership instructed us to dissolve that committee, and we advised them to carefully review and approve a new committee based on active workers. The central leadership made the final decision after their own investigation. There was no interference from me or BNP in this process."

On the issue of including individuals with substance abuse issues in the committee, Khaleq said, "Those actively working with affiliated organizations in the district are better positioned to comment on this matter. I have no additional comments."

The 31-member convening committee of the Kurigram District Farmers' Party was announced with Ripon Rahman as convenor and former student leader Rukunuzzaman Khondoker Ruku as member secretary. This committee was approved by Hasan Zakir Tuhin, president of the Bangladesh Nationalist Farmers' Party, and acting general secretary Mosharraf Hossain on September 12, as confirmed by sources within the district Farmers' Party.

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