Chaugachha correspondent
Allegations of recommendations and political influence have emerged in recruitment for the Family Card census in Chaugachha, Jessore, prompting widespread discussion on social media. Locals are demanding that names of people alleged to have links with the Awami League be removed from the list.
Locals allege most people were recruited through political identities and recommendations rather than qualifications and experience. The issue has intensified because the list includes the son of an influential Union Awami League leader and a young man whose photographs with senior Awami League leaders have circulated on social media.
Zakir Hossain of Muktadah village, son of influential Patibila Union Awami League member Daud Hossain, was recruited. His serial number is 47 and roll number 1143. Locals claim he received special treatment by identifying himself as a relative of a Union BNP leader.
Another listed recruit is Nur Nabi Shabekdar Babu, son of Syed Ali of Patibila village. His serial number is 50 and roll number 1130.
Photographs of Babu with Awami League leaders have circulated, prompting calls to remove him from the census list. Babu indirectly denied the allegations on social media, claiming he had once been president of Patibila Union Chhatra Dal and that misinformation was being spread about him. A photograph of him campaigning with reserved-seat MP Sabira Nazmul Munnie has also circulated.
Chaugachha upazila Chhatra Dal convener Jasim Uddin issued a written statement saying a letterhead circulating as the committee of Patibila Union Chhatra Dal was misleading. It said the committee had been dissolved by the district Chhatra Dal long ago after Babu’s links with the Awami League were established, and that he currently had no connection with Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal.
Locals are demanding a transparent process based on qualifications, experience and acceptability rather than political identity, and action after the allegations are verified.
Recruitment committee member-secretary and Chaugachha upazila social services officer Mezbah Uddin said it was impossible to know which party everyone supported, but all recruits had been selected on merit.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report