Enam Ahmed criticises BNP MP Mokbul's role

Enam Ahmed, also an advisor to BNP chief Khaleda Zia, was talking to newsmen at Sylhet Press club yesterday.

On July 17, at least 50 people were injured during clashes and chase and counter chase between supporters of Enam Ahmed and Mokbul in Golapganj. Mokbul had to hide in a building there for about three hours to avoid people's wrath for his comments against Enam Ahmed and allegedly prompting the demolition.

In another incident in the area on that day, a JCD activist was shot dead at Dhakadakshin bazaar, 3 kilometres off the health complex.

Without naming Mokbul at the view exchange meeting, Enam Ahmed said, politics should be free from clutches of black money and muscle power because people want healthy politics.

Replying to a question Enam Ahmed said, legal and disciplinary measures should be taken against those responsible for the heinous attack and damaging the foundation stone.

Such people should be resisted in politics in the sake of democracy, he added.

Begum Abeda Chowdhury MP and a number of BNP leaders also attended the view exchange meeting with newsmen.

Enam Ahmed said, "I went to lay the foundation stone as per a decision of the Upazila Development Co-ordination Committee. Besides, the health minister also asked me to do the job", Enam claimed.

The health complex is close to the ancestral house of Enam Ahmed.

Enam Ahmed alleged that Mokbul publicly announced to foil the foundation laying function. Peace loving people will not tolerate such things, Enam asserted.

He said Mokbul had also filed a writ with High Court questioning legality of Enam Ahmed's use of protocol of a state minister.

The High Court on 8 July of 2003 rejected the writ terming it 'frivolous and misconceived'. The court also fined him (Mokbul), Enam said showing the court order.

Replying to a question, Enam Ahmed said he would contest the next election in Sylhet-6 constituency (Golapganj and Beanibazar) from the ruling alliance.

Four days after the July 17 incident, Mokbul Hossain resigned from the post of Beanibazar upzila BNP president, which gave rise to speculation that he is preparing to run in the polls race as independent candidate.

BNP sources said, since Enam Ahmed is an advisor to the BNP chairperson and had been with a party stalwart like Saifur, he may get the party nomination.

Mokbul was elected lawmaker from the area in 1986 and in 2001 as an independent candidate. He joined BNP in 2003 and extended support to ruling party lawmaker M Ilyas Ali in July last year when Ilyas openly took a position against Saifur.