Rajshahi, July 13 (V7N) – In a controversial development, several former members of the Awami League Labor League, who were once prominent figures within the party, are now being rehabilitated under the banner of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) within the Northern Electricity Supply Company Limited (NESCO) in Rajshahi. Allegedly orchestrating this political transformation is Rofiqul Ali Pakhi, the president of the Rajshahi city unit of the BNP-affiliated Workers’ Party.

According to sources, several opportunistic leaders who had previously benefitted from the protection of the Awami League are now switching political allegiances for personal gain. These leaders, under the guise of rebranding their political identity, have managed to re-enter the power corridors within NESCO, with the goal of furthering their personal agendas. As a result, this shift has raised serious questions about the integrity of political ideologies, and the governance within the company has started to show signs of increasing corruption.

One of the most prominent examples of this shift is Sirajul Islam, a former leader of the Awami League Labor League. Previously a high-profile figure in the labor movement, Sirajul Islam currently serves as the General Secretary of the Rajshahi district unit of the BNP-affiliated labor wing. His meteoric rise to this position has raised several eyebrows, as he is known to be a controversial figure in the context of irregularities and corruption.

In 2023, the NESCO Labor League, led by President Prabhash Kumar Acharya and General Secretary Md. Abdus Sohail, appointed a new 13-member committee, where Sirajul Islam was appointed Vice-President. However, after the political shift following the ‘July Revolution’, Sirajul Islam switched his allegiance to the BNP and joined the labor faction affiliated with it.

Currently, Sirajul Islam is holding the position of a Storekeeper in NESCO’s Division-3. Although his official job title is ‘Foreman’, a role responsible for direct supervision of electrical line repairs and maintenance, Sirajul Islam has allegedly avoided his duties and is collecting excessive overtime payments of approximately 32 hours per month. This has raised serious concerns among his colleagues.

Additionally, Sirajul Islam is accused of engaging in corrupt practices, including illegally collecting money from customers for meter sealing and replacement, a task that should be carried out by the Feeder In-Charge or the Sub-Assistant Engineer. These actions have led to growing resentment among NESCO officials, who fear that such practices are damaging the company’s reputation.

Many employees have expressed frustration, with some remarking, "Once he enjoyed power under the patronage of the Awami government, and now he is exploiting the BNP label to continue his old corrupt practices. This is a direct threat to the integrity of our organization."

The situation has prompted questions regarding the rehabilitation of former leaders, like Sirajul Islam, who have shifted political affiliations from the Awami League to the BNP. Many are asking how former Awami League leaders, who had participated in historic struggles like the ‘July 36’ movement, can now be rehabilitated under the banner of a party they once opposed. This growing opportunism has led to widespread frustration, particularly among ordinary workers who have long hoped for an end to political opportunism in the workplace.

Political analysts argue that such practices not only damage the integrity of organizations but also cause severe economic losses to the government. The ongoing overpayments for overtime—totalling lakhs of taka each month—are contributing to a significant drain on government resources, and it is now being urged that immediate steps be taken to address the situation and prevent further misuse of public funds.

In light of the growing political and financial misconduct within NESCO, experts are calling for urgent reforms and for the authorities to take necessary actions to restore order and accountability in the company.

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