Noakhali Correspondent

A section of BNP leaders and activists have protested in shrouds demanding a change in the BNP's nominated candidate in the Noakhali-5 (Kompaniganj-Kabirhat, partially Sadar) constituency.

They held this program at Kabirhat Bazar in the upazila on Wednesday at around 4:30 pm.

A few days ago, the name of Fakhrul Islam, a former member of the BNP from Companiganj Upazila, was initially announced as the BNP candidate for this seat. Bazlul Karim Chowdhury Abed, the BNP's joint secretary for rural development affairs, was also a candidate for the same seat. For the past few days, his followers have been holding torch processions and protest rallies in Companiganj-Kabirhat upazilas demanding a change of candidate.

On Wednesday afternoon, Abed's followers gathered on the road in front of Kabirhat Government College in the upazila, demanding party nomination. Then, wearing shrouds, they circled the main road of the market. They returned to the same place and ended the protest procession. At this time, his followers raised various slogans demanding party nomination for Abed by boycotting the BNP-nominated candidate.

Speakers at the protest rally said that Fakhrul Islam, who was nominated by BNP for this seat, does not hold BNP in his heart. He has disguised himself as BNP. In fact, he is a product of Jamaat-e-Islami. His actions, conduct and Jamaat-like love. That is why he has insulted and humiliated many of our central top leaders while trying to cover up his misdeeds. He has become a threat to the leaders and workers of Companiganj-Kabirhat upazila by being isolated locally for good reasons. If Fakhrul Islam's nomination is not canceled, we will give a bigger program. We will give a mass signature program in the future, but even then, if the BNP high command does not budge, we will resign en masse.

The speakers also complained that the party leaders and workers here are demanding the cancellation of Fakhrul Islam's party nomination for the party's candidate who was rushed into the party, leaving aside the party's proven leaders. People are talking about Fakhrul Islam's involvement in Jamaat. People do not want him to deceive the party leaders and workers by depriving potential candidates of the party's nomination as Jamaat. A person who can criticize BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Vice Chairman Barkatullah Bulu, Vice Chairman Md. Shahjahan, BNP Chairperson's Advisor Zainul Abedin Faruk and the late leader Barrister Moudud Ahmed is not safe for anyone. To save BNP and make the rice-stalks victorious, Fakhrul Islam's nomination must be cancelled immediately and an acceptable and qualified Trinamool leader must be nominated. At that time, the leaders and workers strongly demanded the cancellation of Fakhrul Islam's nomination.

In this regard, Fakhrul Islam, who has been nominated by the party in the Noakhali 5 constituency, said, "In a democratic country, BNP is a very big party. In a democratic party, every person has the right to express their opinion. A few days ago, I held a rally with 50,000 people in Kabirhat Bazar. If some people express their opinion there, that is their right."