Photo: Collected
Seven leaders of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) who were expelled from the party have secured chairman posts in the first phase of the upazila elections. Although 20 expelled BNP leaders contested for chairman positions, their victories have raised concerns about the potential consequences of the party's boycott and expulsion system.
These victorious leaders have voiced apprehensions that if such practices persist, it may alienate the public from the BNP.
However, BNP leaders emphasise that maintaining discipline is a paramount concern for any political party or organisation. Consequently, the party dismisses the opinions of individuals who defy its disciplinary measures.
The first phase of the upazila elections in four phases involving 480 upazilas was held on Wednesday. Voting took place in 139 upazilas in the first phase.
The ruling Awami League this time opened up nominations for the upazila elections. The party did not centrally nominate any single candidate this time. Moreover, the party did not keep any party symbol this time in the upazila elections either. Awami League directed ministers and MPs to keep their relatives away from the elections in order to hold a credible election.
On the other hand, the BNP this time announced a boycott of the upazila election and took to the field with anti-vote campaigning. Even if anyone from the party took part in the election, the decision was made to expel them.
BNP expelled 82 leaders who violated the party decision by taking part in the first phase of the upazila council election. The party expelled a total of 145 people so far for participating in this four-phase election. Still, defying the party's expulsion order, 20 leaders contested for the chairman posts in the first phase. Of them, 7 leaders have won.
Among the expelled BNP leaders who won in the election are - Abdul Kuddus in Bandarban Sadar upazila, Aminul Islam Badshah in Jhinaigati upazila of Sherpur, former joint general secretary of Chapainawabganj district BNP Anwar Hossain in Bholahat upazila, expelled former member of Gomostapur upazila BNP Ashraf Hossain Alim won the upazila chairman post, Mohammad Abdul Hamid in Haluaghat upazila of Mymensingh, expelled vice-president and former chairman of Gazipur Sadar upazila Ejadur Rahman Milon. Besides, former chairman and expelled vice-president of Sylhet's Bishwanath upazila unit BNP and UK expatriate Mohammad Suhel Ahmed Chowdhury has been elected chairman.
Meanwhile, there are various discussions in the party as 7 leaders became chairmen despite being expelled from the party. Many want to say that those who participated in polls and won against the Awami League candidates are actually very popular in those areas. There is also discussion within BNP itself that many had the opportunity to be elected if the party had joined the vote.
Mohammad Suhel Ahmed Chowdhury, the expelled former co-president of Sylhet's Bishwanath upazila unit BNP and UK expatriate who has been elected chairman, told The Daily Messenger, “I was a former upazila chairman too. People in the area like me. So despite being expelled from the party, the common people and activists have voted for me.”
He also said that if BNP continues only with the boycott and expulsion system without coming to the polls, there will come a time when no one will be found in the party. The party needs to rethink its course of action.
However, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, a standing committee member of BNP, told The Daily Messenger, “Discipline is very important in a party. No matter how big a leader, if he does not maintain discipline, there is no need for such a person in the party. None of his words are acceptable.”
Messenger/Fameema
