By Hemayet Hossain

Member of Parliament with Bangladesh ticket and cricket star Shakib Al Hasan has once again come to discussion and criticism after publication a news about joining king's party Bangladesh Nationalist Movement ( BNM) and connection bid with BNP leader Tarique Rahman ahead of National Parliament election -2024.

Before that he was controversial over signing a contract with a subsidiary of a betting site, keeping a gambler's proposal secret, taking part in advertising during the national team's game, slapping a supporter in an election campaign and opening a business company for a fugitive accused in a murder case in Dubhai.

Despite all controversy Shakib is avoiding everything but critics have also questioned his ethics. In the political discussion, this time the King's Party's Shakib issue. Recently Shakib wanted to join BNM before the election by holding the hand of BNP leader Major (Retd) Hafeez Ahmed.

After the publication of news about this in a media, there is a fierce discussion and criticism about it.

However, Major Hafiz Uddin Ahmad Bir Bikram said that the form was handed over to cricketer Shakib to keep the BNM general secretary's word. In a press conference at his home recently, he said, the government is inciting the incident of 6 months ago to cover up its own failure.

However, according to Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader, anyone who is not a formal member of a party can join Awami League with primary membership. Shakib came to the team following that rule.

Besides, a BNP leader in a TV talk show said, Shakib wanted to contract Tareque Rahman through her which also deserves attention of ruling party Awami League.

Meanwhile, political analysts have questioned various comments by Awami League and government ministers before the election behind the creation of BNM. Many people say that Awami League general secretary said before the election that hundreds of flowers will bloom. Besides, the current Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud also said that a new party will come under the leadership of Major Hafeez.

However, at a later press conference, Major Hafiz said that the formation of a new party was a conspiratorial campaign by the government.

Hafiz also released photo with Shakib, which makes it more viral in the social media.

BNP Vice Chairman Major (Retd) Hafiz Uddin in a press conference recently has alleged that news is being mixed with the issue of cricket star and Member of Parliament Shakib Al Hasan. He also thinks that his image is being destroyed through this.

Hafiz Uddin said, 'A picture of Shakib Al Hasan and me has created a sensation. Many people are publishing news about it with sweetness of mind. I am noting that this is an attempt to tarnish my image and the leaders and workers of the party are also getting upset.

Meanwhile, Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader dismissed the allegation of breaking BNP through king's party. He also said that he did not know anything about Shakib joining BNM.

Obaidul Quader said in a press conference at the party's central office, I have seen the matter in the media. I didn't know anything about it. Now he has won on Awami League ticket.

General Secretary of Awami League said that now Shakib has won on Awami League ticket. He became a primary member of the party when it sought nomination for the 12th National Assembly elections. There was no party before him. We don't know about this before.

At this time, in reference to Moin Khan's complaint that BNP is being broken, Obaidul Quader said, "Why are we going to break BNP?" Do we have any weakness that needs to be filled by bringing people from BNP. There is no famine in Awami League. There are many people here.

In the meantime, BNM Secretary General Dr Md Shahjahan on Tuesday night said that he was unaware of Awami League Member of Parliament for Magura-1 Constituency Cricketer Shakib Al Hasan joining the "king's party".

He said: "I came across this information in the media. I had no prior knowledge of it. I wasn't informed about his membership by anyone within the party."

Recent reports in some media suggested that BNP Vice Chairman Major (retd) Hafizuddin Ahmed played a role behind the scenes in forming BNM, with Shakib Al Hasan joining the team. A photo of Hafizuddin Ahmed and Shakib had also circulated.

Referring to Dr Hafizuddin Ahmed's nomination as chairman of BNM, Shahjahan mentioned: "From what I've seen in the media, Shakib visited Hafiz's residence and filled out the form to become a member of BNM.

During that time, I was not serving as the secretary general of the party but as the joint convener. There were discussions at that time that Major Hafiz would potentially assume the role of chairman. It's possible that Shakib Al Hasan kept this matter confidential. I was unaware of any of this, and neither did anyone from the party provide clarification on the matter."

Responding to queries, Dr Shahjahan clarified: "On behalf of BNM, the collective decision was made to offer Major Hafiz the position of chairman. However, in the end, it didn't materialize. He didn't join."

Amid this situation, conscious circles questioned that being an MP of ruling party Awami League , why Shakib Al Hasan was connected with BNM and why he tried to contact BNP's top leader Tarique Rahman? This should be taken into notice by the Awami League high command.