BNP internal conflict : Attack allegations, counter press conference in Rajapur
Rajapur (Jhalakati) Correspondent
The internal conflict of the BNP in Jhalakati-1 (Rajapur-Kantalia) constituency has taken a new sharp turn. Tensions have arisen between the two party candidates over an attack that took place on Saturday night. At least 10 people have been injured in the attack. The two parties held press conferences in Jhalakati and Rajapur on Sunday (October 12) afternoon.
BNP nomination aspirant and former central Chhatra Dal leader Golam Azam Saikat held a press conference at the Jhalakathi Press Club in the afternoon. He alleged, "On Saturday night at Shuktaghar Union of Rajapur Upazila, on my way home after the 31-point campaign to build the state structure announced by BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman, a terrorist attack was launched on my convoy at around 12:30 am led by BNP Religious Affairs Secretary Rafiqul Islam Jamal. I was attacked with the intention of killing me and my car was vandalized. 10 of my workers were injured in the attack and are undergoing treatment at Jhalakathi Sadar Hospital."
He further said, "Rafiqul Islam Jamal is disobeying the organizational decision and is conducting meetings and rallies in an unorganized manner with Awami League associates including Rajapur Upazila BNP General Secretary Nasim Uddin Akon and Kantalia Upazila BNP General Secretary Akhtar Hossain Nizam Mir, who were expelled from the party. He is creating divisions in the area and breaking the party's discipline. Earlier, several organizational programs have been attacked under his leadership."
Strongly condemning and protesting the attack on the beach, Golam Azam said, "I demand a fair investigation and trial of this incident from the administration. Along with this, I am also calling on the party to take organizational action against those involved." Leaders and activists of Rajapur and Kathalia BNP and various levels of affiliated organizations were present at the press conference.
On the other hand, Rafiqul Islam Jamal, the religious affairs secretary of the BNP's central executive committee and another candidate for the Jhalokati-1 (Rajapur-Kantalia) constituency, held a press conference at the residence of former Rajapur Upazila BNP general secretary Nasim Uddin Akon in Baghri area in the afternoon.
He said, "False and fabricated allegations have been made against me over the incident in the Putiakhali area of the upazila last night. None of my workers were involved in the attack."
He also said, "I have always worked within organizational discipline. The party will not take responsibility if someone tries to tarnish the party's image for personal gain." Rajapur Upazila BNP President Advocate Abul Kalam Azad, General Secretary (post suspended) Nasim Uddin Akon, Senior Vice President Abdul Haque Nantu, Jubo Dal convener Masum Billah Parvez, Chhatra Dal convener Sakhawat Hossain Rabbi Sikder, Member Secretary Rafiq Mridha, and leaders and activists from various levels of BNP and its affiliated organizations were present at the time.
According to local political observers, this internal division within the BNP has created unrest among the party's field-level workers ahead of the upcoming national elections.
