Out of 57 individuals newly nominated as government fertiliser dealers across six upazilas in Lakshmipur, 45 are leaders and activists of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its associate organisations, triggering allegations of political influence and nepotism.
The appointments have drawn widespread criticism across social media over the past two days from unsuccessful applicants, political figures, and local residents.
Critics allege that official guidelines—which explicitly mandate giving priority to experienced fertiliser merchants—were ignored to accommodate political affiliates, many of whom have no background in the trade.
Conversely, several long-standing traders claimed they were arbitrarily excluded under political labels.
Selection Process and Official Guidelines
According to official sources, a circular was issued to appoint dealers across 58 unions and four municipalities in the district. By the 10 September deadline, 336 applications were received.
In a letter dated 7 October signed by Shahnaz Akhter, Agricultural Economist at the Fertiliser Management and Monitoring Branch of the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry finalised the list of 57 dealers and directed the Lakshmipur Deputy Commissioner to proceed with implementation.
An analysis of the Ministry’s finalised list reveals that 45 appointees hold office or are active members in the BNP, Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), Jubo Dal, or Swechchhasebak Dal, or share close family ties with party leaders.
Under the government’s dealer appointment policy, an applicant must possess an owned or rented warehouse with a minimum capacity of 25 metric tonnes, featuring a concrete floor constructed above normal flood levels.
Warehouses cannot be used to store food items, restaurant goods, livestock or fish feed, vegetables, or seeds. Applicants must also submit a recent bank solvency certificate of at least Tk5 lakh and be given priority if they have prior experience in fertiliser trading.
Inexperienced Political Appointees Across Upazilas
However, several appointees lack prior business experience in this sector.
In Raipur Upazila, Aminul Aziz, General Secretary of South Char Banshi Union BNP (M/S Gazi Enterprise); Mehdi Hasan Ainan, Joint Convenor of Upazila Chhatra Dal (M/S Hasina Enterprise in Keroa Union); and Amir Hossain alias Chhutu, Senior Vice President of Bamni Union BNP (M/S Amir Hossain Enterprise) were nominated despite having no prior background in fertiliser sales.
Similarly, in Ramganj Upazila, appointments were granted to Gias Uddin alias Palash, General Secretary of Ramganj Pourashava BNP (M/S Falguni Enterprise); Md Billal Patwary, General Secretary of Noagaon Union BNP (M/S Abdullah Traders); Ahsan Habib, President of Karpara Union BNP (S B Traders); and Hafez Ahammad, former Organisational Secretary of Jubo Dal in Bholakot Union.
In Sadar Upazila, Zakir Hossain, President of Dalal Bazar Union Jubo Dal, was appointed through M/S Satata Traders, an enterprise primarily dealing in steel rods, cement, and coconuts.
In Kamalnagar Upazila, appointees include Md Ismail of Yamin Traders (brother of Sahebhat Union Jubo Dal Convenor Helal Uddin); Gias Uddin, Member Secretary of Upazila Swechchhasebak Dal in Char Martin Union; Mahbubur Rahman, a relative of Upazila BNP President Nurul Huda Chowdhury in Char Falcon Union; and his cousin Lokman Hossain Patary in Pataryhat Union.
Bypassed Merchants Allege Irregularities
Meanwhile, veteran traders were left out.
Md Shovan, an independent merchant selling fertiliser in Chandraganj Bazar for years, expressed dismay over his exclusion despite fulfilling all criteria.
Jasim Uddin, former General Secretary of Char Lawrence Union BNP and a former long-time dealer, stated he was excluded without explanation.
Tarek Rahman, Panel Chairman of Char Martin Union Parishad and a Jubo Dal leader whose family has been in the fertiliser and pesticide trade for nearly 50 years, claimed their dealership was cancelled during the previous Awami League administration.
Despite applying anew, he was overlooked.
He alleged that several nominated individuals lack mandatory warehouses and relevant experience, alleging that dealerships were awarded in exchange for financial transactions.
Official and Party Rebuttals
In response, Ramganj Pourashava BNP General Secretary Gias Uddin Palash and Kamalnagar Swechchhasebak Dal Member Secretary Md Gias Uddin denied political lobbying, asserting that their applications met all legal criteria and were duly scrutinised by authorities.
Lakshmipur Deputy Commissioner S M Mehdi Hasan, Chairman of the District Fertiliser and Seed Monitoring Committee, stated that recommendations were made strictly in compliance with government rules.
Johir Ahmed, Deputy Director of the Lakshmipur Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) and Member Secretary of the committee, affirmed that the list was scrutinised locally before being forwarded to the Ministry of Agriculture, denying any irregularities.
District BNP Joint Convenor Md Hasibur Rahman defended the party members, stating that party activists had been deprived for 17 years and were now entering business legally without political influence or manipulation.
