Leaders of the Shibchar Upazila unit of the Awami League, whose organisational activities remain banned, have allegedly returned to open political activity ahead of the parliamentary election, campaigning in favour of an independent candidate in Madaripur-1 (Shibchar).
According to local sources, several senior leaders of the banned Shibchar Upazila Awami League have been actively seeking support and maintaining organisational contacts for independent candidate Kamal Zaman Nuruddin Molla.
On Thursday night, a courtyard meeting in support of the independent candidate was held at the residence of Awami League Shibchar unit vice-president and current Upazila Chairman Abdul Latif Molla in Shibchar municipality’s ward 2.
A video of the meeting later went viral on social media, triggering widespread debate and criticism in local political circles.
Those allegedly involved include banned Shibchar Upazila Awami League vice-president and current Upazila Chairman Abdul Latif Molla, a former mayor and an accused in a student killing case, former vice-chairman Delwar Bepari, and Shibchar Municipal Awami League president Tota Khan, also an accused in a student killing case.
Local political leaders, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the open involvement of leaders from a banned organisation contradicts political norms and existing rules, particularly during an election period.
Attempts to contact the accused leaders for comment were unsuccessful, while no official statement was available from independent candidate Kamal Zaman Nuruddin Molla on the matter.
Political analysts said such activities could add a new dimension to the electoral equation in the constituency, while raising questions about the stance of the Election Commission and the authorities on the role of leaders from banned organisations.
Central assistant education affairs secretary and district BNP member Helen Jarin Khan said enforcing the law is the responsibility of the administration, questioning how individuals facing criminal cases are able to move around openly.
Shibchar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Shariful Islam said whether banned Awami League leaders campaign alongside an independent candidate is a personal matter for them, adding that the police are currently focused on maintaining law and order related to the election.
