300 desert BNP protesting 'Jamaat-appeasing policy'

Leaders and workers are leaving the party at upazila, ward and union levels while 300 men resigned on Thursday, party sources said.

Central and Nilphamari district leaders of the party remained 'indifferent' to filing of a 'false' abduction and rape case against Jaldhaka upazila BNP president and municipal chairman Anwarul Kabir Chowdhury. The case was filed at the instigation of Jamaat, some of the BNP leaders who left the party alleged while talking to this correspondent yesterday.

"It is false case influenced by local Jamaat lawmaker because Kabir was a possible contender for nomination in the coming election", a BNP leader said seeking anonymity.

Kabir and six others were given life term by a special tribunal on October 18.

More leaders and activists will leave the party, he claimed.

The deserters alleged that central and district BNP leaders have 'adopted a policy to appease the anti-liberation forces' in Jaldhaka by abandoning its dedicated leaders.

The district leaders did not take any move to protest the 'false' case against Kabir Chowdhury and six others, they said.

They claimed that Jamaat men filed more than 50 cases against a number of BNP men at different levels in Jaldhaka in last one year.

BNP, the main partner in the alliance, remains silent and does not come to the aid of party men, they alleged.

Abdul Majid, one of the deserters in Bogulagari in Jaldhaka municipality, alleged that their leader Anwarul Kabir Chowdhury was victimised by the Jamaat lawmaker as he ( Anwarul Kabir) wants to contest in the next election from here.

"It is useless to be associated with BNP as its central and district leaders do not protect party men in time of need", he added.

Earlier, acting president of Jaldhaka BNP Omar Faroque, in his instant reaction after hearing the court verdict commented that he was planing to quit BNP.

"Presence of plaintiff (in the rape case) Morsheda Begum at Jamaat district office on Wednesday (when the verdict was pronounced) surrounded by Jamaat cadres to meet the press proved that she was a tool in the hands of Jamaat in the whole matter", Faroq said.

He said more leaders and workers of BNP and its front organisations will leave the party.

When contacted, Jamaat lawmaker from Nilphamari-3 Mizanur Rahman Chowdhury denied the allegations. The incident was tried and he (Kabir) was convicted, he said.

Local BNP leaders alleged that during the trial, plaintiff Morsheda was given all possible assistance by Jamaat leaders and activists. They took her to the court in their transports and provided protection.

Asked why Morsheda was at Jamaat office during delivery of the verdict, Jaldhaka poura Jamaat vice-president Selimur Rahman said it was done for her protection.