Two BNP factions announce separate programmes in Devidwar; member secretary Abul Kalam Azad relieved of post

Internal divisions within the BNP in Devidwar, Cumilla, have come out into the open over the observance of National Revolution and Solidarity Day. Two programmes have been announced for the same day in separate letters — one signed by the upazila BNP convener and the other by the joint convener and member secretary. The guest lists of the two programmes also differ.

Meanwhile, upazila BNP member secretary Abul Kalam Azad has been relieved of his post on charges of breaching party discipline.

The relief was announced in a notice signed by Cumilla North District BNP convener Md. Abul Hashem on Saturday night (7 November). The notice, however, did not give details of the allegations.

The relief letter said Abul Kalam Azad was relieved of the post of member secretary of Devidwar Upazila BNP because there was specific evidence of his involvement in activities that breached party discipline and harmed the party’s image.

At the same time, the upazila BNP’s senior joint convener Md. Nazrul Islam Sarkar has been given the responsibility of member secretary to keep organisational activities moving in the vacant post.

On the relief, Abul Kalam Azad said he has been involved in BNP politics through student politics since 1986, upholding the party’s principles and ideals.

He said that ever since joining the committee he has opposed forming committees with “hybrid” leaders, and has demanded that those who were in the political field during the hard times be properly valued.

He further alleged that a faction is trying to trade party posts and committees for money. He also alleged that a political office or base has been set up in Daudkandi, leaving Devidwar, with the aim of collecting money from aspirants for the post of chairman in union parishad elections. He believes he was relieved because he opposed these activities.

Describing former four-time member of parliament Engineer Manjurul Ahsan Munshi as the guardian of BNP politics in Devidwar, Abul Kalam Azad said Munshi has been made the chief guest of their National Revolution and Solidarity Day programme.

He claimed that although a letter of Munshi’s expulsion from the party has been published, his name is not on the list of 224 expelled leaders across the country kept in the central office register. He also alleged that a faction is trying to politically eliminate Manjurul Ahsan Munshi and his followers. He said their programme will still be held at the scheduled time despite the relief.

On the other hand, Devidwar Upazila BNP convener Jasim Uddin said they announced their programme following organisational rules.

He said Manjurul Ahsan Munshi has made sacrifices for the party and they respect him. But as he is an expelled leader of the party, he cannot be made the chief guest of their programme. For this reason, reserved-seat member of parliament Rasheda Begum Hira has been made the chief guest of their programme. The programme will be held on Sunday afternoon at the scheduled time.

Cumilla North District BNP joint convener and former vice-chairman of Devidwar Upazila Parishad Sufia Begum said grassroots leaders and activists are frustrated by the factional politics of Devidwar BNP. To take the party forward, everyone must work together, forgetting divisions.

On the matter, Cumilla North District BNP convener Md. Abul Hashem said Devidwar Upazila BNP member secretary Abul Kalam Azad was creating factionalism in breach of party discipline and misleading leaders and activists in various ways, hampering organisational activities. When the matters came to the notice of the party’s higher authorities, they instructed him to take organisational action. Abul Kalam Azad was relieved of the party post with their permission.