Instructions to support Nur in Patuakhali-3 constituency, tension in Dashmina BNP
Bauphal (Patuakhali) Correspondent
Central BNP Organizing Secretary Bilkis Jahan Shirin has given clear instructions to work for the alliance's candidate in Patuakhali-3 (Golachipa-Dashmina) constituency, former DUCSU VP and President of the People's Rights Council Nurul Haque Nur.
She talked to journalists after exchanging views with local leaders and activists at the Dashmina Upazila BNP office on Sunday evening.
"According to the central decision, Nurul Haque Nur is the alliance's candidate for this seat. I have come here to ensure work for him. We have to work unitedly for his mark, this is the central order."
However, the situation became heated during the exchange of views. When Nur's followers tried to enter the party office, a scuffle broke out with a section of the local BNP. Chaos immediately spread in the party office and the leaders and activists left the office one by one. Later, the situation was brought under control with the intervention of the police.
Bilkis Jahan Shirin said, "I have received assurances from the leaders and activists that they will work for Nur by following the alliance's decision. There is no opportunity to go beyond party discipline."
It is learnt that BNP, as a partner in the simultaneous movement, has given way to People's Rights Council President Nurul Haque Nur instead of fielding its own candidate in this constituency. However, a different picture is visible on the ground. BNP's nomination hopeful and popular leader Hasan Mamun, former president and general secretary of Dhaka University Chhatra Dal and member of BNP's national executive committee, is still in a strong position in Patuakhali-3 constituency.
In this situation, 9 people, including Hasan Mamun, were expelled from party positions in a letter signed by Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on the 30th for allegedly disobeying the central decision.
On the other hand, the People's Rights Council has been alleging that despite a seat deal with Nurul Haque Nur, a large section of the BNP in Galachipa-Dashmina is still openly working for independent candidate Hasan Mamun. Nur has been making written and verbal complaints to the central BNP over the past few days regarding the matter.
Party sources said that this visit by Central Organizing Secretary Bilkis Jahan Shirin was in the wake of that allegation.
Patuakhali District BNP President Sehnashu Sarkar Kutri and General Secretary Mojibur Rahman Toton, along with district and upazila level leaders, were present at the time.
According to political analysts, if the alliance's decision in Patuakhali-3 is not implemented, BNP's internal divisions will become more apparent, which could have a major impact on the election results.
