Dhaka, Mar 23 (V7N) – Central BNP leaders have said that they are embarrassed by reports of misdeeds committed by party members and will adopt a stricter stance to curb such actions.

On March 8, the General Secretary of the Ward No 3 branch of Chuadanga Municipality BNP, Jahidul Islam Sohel, was suspended from the party. Chuadanga Municipality BNP President Sirajul Islam Moni and General Secretary Mahmudul Haque Paltu confirmed the suspension. The decision was based on allegations of extortion, mistreatment of various individuals, and undisciplined activities in several locations, all of which have tarnished the party's image.


Exactly two days later, on March 10, two more leaders were suspended in Sirajganj Sadar on charges of assaulting a BNP leader named Bablu Mia by allegedly breaking his hands and legs. This information was provided in a letter signed by District BNP Joint Office Secretary Sheikh Enamul Haque.

According to the letter, the party's image was severely damaged by the involvement of former Kalia Haripur Union BNP General Secretary Reza Talukder and his brother, Borhan Uddin Talukder, in various terrorist activities. As a result, all of their posts, including their primary membership, were suspended, and party leaders and activists were instructed to cease all contact with them.

Since August 5 last year, some BNP leaders and activists have been involved in extortion and encroachment across the country, with reports of fatal incidents emerging from various locations. These actions have further tarnished the party's image. Central BNP leaders said that under these circumstances, they will take an even stronger stance to prevent such incidents before the election.

A senior leader said: “A strict stance will be taken against any leader at any level involved in any incident that brings the party into disrepute and affects the elections.”


Among these offenses, land grabbing has become one of the most common crimes committed by the party’s leaders and activists. For example, the couple Latif Rahman and Jochna Begum own 4.1% of the land in the Shantinagar Kashipur area of Narayanganj. In November last year, they began construction on the property. However, while working on the site, they were attacked by workers of the influential local leader Giasuddin, who beat and threatened them by invoking his name.

Since the attack, construction has ceased, although a signboard displaying their name still remains on the land. They told the Dhaka Tribune that they are now under pressure to sell the property to Giasuddin at a low price. When contacted by Dhaka Tribune, Giasuddin hung up upon learning the caller's identity and did not answer any further calls.

Top BNP officials emphasized that the party will not take responsibility for individual mistakes. Party leaders maintain that actions are being taken following investigations into the allegations. They also noted that the BNP is facing propaganda and that most of those involved in misdeeds are opportunistic politicians. To address the situation, a team comprising central BNP leaders and their affiliates is conducting organizational tours across the country to send a clear message to all leaders and activists.

Following the political change brought about by a student uprising, people from all walks of life now expect a well-ordered country free from corruption, occupation, and extortion. However, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party is increasingly embarrassed by the successive negative actions of its own leaders and activists. Allegations continue to surface in the media, and despite repeated stern warnings from the party's high command, grassroots leaders and activists are not heeding them.

Action by the BNP high command
Top BNP leaders are dismayed by the terrorist activities carried out by some individuals under the party's banner. Locals in various areas complain that these cadres are attacking other political leaders to expand their dominance.

Numerous allegations have been received from different parts of the country, including Dhaka, accusing them of land, shop, and market grabbing, looting, extortion, and attacks on opponents. In response, the central leadership has implemented organizational measures to curb these activities. To date, more than a hundred leaders have been expelled from the party, including senior figures such as Barisal Divisional Organizing Secretary Bilkis Jahan Shirin and Habiganj District BNP Convener Abul Hashim.

Earlier, after August 5, action was taken against 1,023 leaders on various charges: 523 were issued show-cause notices, 437 were expelled, 25 were suspended, 35 received warnings, and 4 were given notices for breaching organizational discipline. These actions affected leaders at various levels—from members of the standing committee to those in the chairperson's advisory council, as well as central joint general secretaries and divisional organizational secretaries.

A BNP leader from Pabna Upazila said: “Terrorist activities have infiltrated the BNP and are increasing in both district and upazila areas. They commit one misdeed after another under political shelter, and they should be punished. We are unable to conduct sound politics because of them.”


The BNP high command and policymakers are both embarrassed and angered by the daily reports of such incidents. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said that the party's top leadership has taken a very strict stance on the criminal activities of field-level leaders and activists, as well as on party discipline. He added that organizational actions are being taken against those found guilty of the allegations, and this approach will continue in the future.

On August 7 last year, BNP held its first rally in Nayapaltan under the new circumstances. Joining the program virtually, BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman declared, "Stop attacks or anarchy from this moment on. Even if someone attempts to commit any misdeed under the name of BNP, catch them and hand them over to the law. If you have any specific allegations against any police officer, file a complaint with the concerned authorities in accordance with the rules."

In August, a signboard bearing the BNP name was spotted at the controversial Sadiq Agro site in Mohammadpur, the capital. Later, Aminul Haque, the BNP member secretary for Dhaka Metropolitan North, visited the housing area in Mohammadpur and observed a political office built on the site of a canal. He ordered the office to be demolished; the establishment had displayed a signboard for the Sat Masjid Housing Unit BNP.

Former chairman of the Char Madras Union Parishad of Char Fashion Upazila in Bhola and freedom fighter Mozammel Haque complained that, in August, houses were vandalized and looted, with fish from farms stolen as well. All the equipment, machinery, and water extraction motors used for agricultural work were taken, and looters even broke down doors to enter and ransack homes. According to him, the perpetrators were local Jubo Dal and BNP leaders and activists.

In this regard, Jubo Dal's central general secretary Nurul Islam said that if any of their leaders or activists are found to be involved in these incidents, direct action will be taken without any concessions. "We take action when we receive complaints," he added.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi commented: "On Tarique Rahman's orders, action is being taken immediately against anyone whose name appears in connection with occupation. Some individuals may engage in occupation and extortion under the name of BNP, but we have already expelled hundreds of people from various organs and associate organizations, and many have had their positions suspended."

 

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