Chapainawabganj: A remark by Harunur Rashid, the administrator of Chapainawabganj Zila Parishad, has triggered a sharp reaction among district BNP leaders, who described his comments aimed at the party’s current leadership as “baseless, illogical and offensive.”
Rashid made the remarks as chief guest at a discussion and prayer gathering held Saturday, May 30, at the Shaheed Satuhal Auditorium in Chapainawabganj town to mark the 45th anniversary of the death of slain President Ziaur Rahman. The event was organized by the district Chhatra Dal.
In his speech, Rashid claimed that all the leaders currently in charge of the Chapainawabganj district BNP were “secret Jamaat.” He also alleged that none of the district BNP’s senior leaders had worked for the party in the 13th national parliamentary election.
Drawing the attention of BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman, Rashid called for the matter to be investigated. He further alleged that some leaders and activists at the district and upazila levels had at various times taken part in road blockades and torch processions in Shibganj. He also cited rail blockades and torch processions demanding a change of candidates in the Nachole, Gomastapur and Bholahat constituencies.
“I am saying this as a challenge: not a single person who was in charge in Chapainawabganj campaigned for the BNP,” he said. Some leaders and activists at the venue chanted “fake, fake” in response, according to reports.
District BNP leaders sharply criticized Rashid’s remarks.
Rafiqul Islam, the district BNP member secretary, said: “The current district BNP committee was formed under the direction of Tarique Rahman. We were active in the movement and struggle for a long time. Yet Harunur Rashid worked in the past for Awami League-backed candidates.”
He further claimed that Rashid was trying to become politically active again after the political change of Aug. 5. But party leaders, activists and ordinary people had not accepted him, he said.
Golam Zakaria, the district BNP convener, also criticized Rashid’s remarks. “Harunur Rashid himself said in the past that there was no such thing as a district committee. Now he is making confusing and offensive remarks aimed at that very committee,” he said.
Zakaria further alleged that Rashid had been elected a member of parliament in the 2018 national election by defying the party’s decision and reaching an understanding with the Awami League. Questioning Rashid’s recent political stance, he said the remarks were being made out of political frustration after an election defeat.
Rashid’s comments have sparked fresh debate within the district BNP. Political observers say the issue could draw further reaction at the party level.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report