The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has taken a hardline stance against misconduct within its ranks following the departure of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Acting BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman has issued strict directives to the party's leadership and grassroots members to eradicate any forms of violence, extortion, and other criminal activities, in an effort to restore public trust and maintain order ahead of the next general election.
In a series of virtual speeches delivered at departmental meetings, Tarique emphasized that BNP will not tolerate any misdeeds or illegal activities under its banner. He warned that individuals engaging in such behaviors would be expelled from the party and handed over to law enforcement agencies. This zero-tolerance policy marks a significant shift as the party prepares for a post-Hasina political landscape.
“BNP will not provide refuge to any criminals or miscreants. The party's focus must be on winning the hearts of the people through justice and unity,” Tarique said. He urged party members to maintain stability and avoid the traps set by “defeated evil forces.”
In line with Tarique's directives, BNP and its affiliated organizations have initiated disciplinary actions against members accused of involvement in crimes or internal disorder. Notably, two prominent figures—Salahuddin Ahmed, a member of the party’s standing committee, and Khairul Kabir Khokon, the joint secretary general—have been issued show-cause notices. They have been given three days to respond.
More than 200 leaders and workers of BNP and its affiliated organizations have been expelled in the last 28 days after the August 5 student uprising. Apart from this, show-cause notices and positions of hundreds of leaders and workers have been suspended. The list includes BNP standing committee members and chairperson's advisors to field level leaders and workers. Even the post of Central Organizing Secretary has been suspended.
Ruhul Quddus Talukdar Dulu, one of the leaders of the party and adviser to the Chairperson, has been demoted from adviser to executive member. BNP Central Organizing Secretary Shama Obaid and Krishak Dal General Secretary Shahidul Islam Babul have been suspended after one person was killed in a clash in Nagarkanda, Faridpur.
BNP is showing zero tolerance in maintaining order according to the strict instructions of party leader Tarique Rahman. He ordered that anyone who wants to commit any crime using the name of BNP should be arrested and handed over to the law. Provide security for churches, temples, pagodas.
Tarique said that people cannot be measured by religion, caste and faith. A person's identity is a person. Wherever someone in your neighborhood tries to do something like that, set an example by standing as a shield to protect the victim as a friend. We have to remember that everyone living in Bangladesh has one identity - we are Bangladeshis.
Addressing the leaders and workers, he said that no one should step into the trap of defeated evil forces. If the student uprising is to be a final success, no one will engage in occupation, not assist in occupation. No one will take the law into their own hands.
Meanwhile, BNP leaders and activists claim that most of those involved in various crimes are 'infiltrators'. According to them, they are not in any position of the party. Was not in any party program in the past. Movement and struggle were not seen. With the change in political status, they have now become the 'leaders-workers' of BNP. Has started to show power in their respective areas. After the fall of the autocratic Awami League government, many people are getting involved in occupation, extortion and misdeeds.
In this situation, BNP has decided to take strict action against the leaders and workers who are said to be 'infiltrators'. A resistance committee has been formed in the neighborhood. There are many cases where the leaders of BNP and affiliated organizations have freed the occupied houses, shops, businesses in some districts including the capital and conveyed them to the real owners. BNP leaders in Manikganj made the transport sector free from extortion and terrorism.
In the last three weeks, more than 200 leaders and workers of BNP, Juba Dal, Chhatra Dal and Swachhasevak Dal have been expelled. Among them there are about 80 leaders of Juba Dal, 20 of Chhatra Dal, 60 of BNP and several other leaders of other organizations including Svechasevak Dal.
Apart from this, show-cause notices have been issued to more than half a hundred leaders and activists of BNP and its affiliates in seven districts. Most of the punished leaders are from Dhaka Metropolitan, Chattogram , Mymensingh, Bogra, Patuakhali, Pirojpur, Barisal, Panchagarh, Gazipur, Narsingdi, Noakhali, Jhenaidah, Lalmonirhat and Lakshmipur districts. Central leaders are not being exempted either.
BNP Barisal Division Central Organizing Secretary Bilkis Jahan Shirin's party post has been suspended. Habiganj district BNP convenor Abul Hashim was expelled from all positions including the primary membership of BNP for his involvement in disciplinary activities. Abu Sufian, the former convenor of Chattogram South District BNP, the first joint convener, was accused of indulging in anti-organizational activities on Monday. Enamul Haque Enam and convening committee member SM Mamun Mia have been suspended at all levels including primary members.
On the other hand, Fakhruddin Ahmed Bachchu, the joint convener of Mymensingh South District BNP and the convener of Bhaluka Upazila BNP, has been expelled from all positions including primary members of the party, based on clear allegations of indulging in anti-organizational activities.
BNP Chairperson's advisor and former MP Zahir Uddin Swapan told Bangladesh Pratidin that, just as a new political plan is needed to fulfill the hopes and expectations of the people in a fascism-free Bangladesh, a corresponding organizational plan is also needed. BNP is very alert and cautious in dealing with the current situation. Its proof is that the high-level leaders of the party are also being brought under accountability.
A joint convener of Adabar Thana BNP in the capital said that after the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government, she tried to occupy a group using BNP signboards in place of the much-criticized Sadiq Agro in the capital's Mohammadpur. After coming to the notice of the Acting Chairman of the party, on his instructions, the leaders and workers led by Aminul Haque, Member Secretary of Dhaka Metropolitan North BNP, went there and demolished the political office built on the site of the canal. Rescued the government site of the canal.
BNP standing committee member Abdul Moin Khan regarding the position of the party regarding any irregularities said, “I have started a movement to remove the irregularities of the country. Involvement of any member of the team in any irregularity will not be tolerated. Action must be taken against him.”
BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi Ahmed told Bangladesh Pratidin that no irregularities and corruption will be tolerated in BNP. The Acting Chairman of the party said clearly that there is no room for criminals in BNP. However, there are also allegations that some people of the fallen Awami League are trying to do various misdeeds using the name of BNP. That is why instructions have already been issued to prevent infiltration into the party.
(The report was published on print and online versions of The Bangladesh Pratidin on September 03 and rewritten in English by Tanvir Raihan)
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