An audio recording has surfaced in which a BNP leader is allegedly heard demanding 30 percent of VGF rice allocations in the name of a local MP.
The leaked call, circulating on social media, suggested a voice resembling Kaliganj BNP Joint Convener Shamsuzzaman Sabuj, reportedly asking for the share on behalf of Lalmonirhat-2 MP Rokon Uddin Babul.
In the recording – which was seen circulating on Facebook last Thursday – Sabuj is heard telling Union Parishad Chairman Biplob: “Did you explain MP shaheb’s 30 percent?”
The chairman replies that a meeting was held in this regard and a representative from the UNO office would be sent.
The voice allegedly belonging to Sabuj is further heard saying, “When there were unelected MPs before, you had explained these things to them so nicely. Unlike them, we have been elected, and we haven’t forgotten the past. How can you hold meetings over our allocations? You must hand over 1,003 tokens. No need to recognise Sabuj.”
Another leaked call involving local BNP leader Bidhan Chandra Roy and the chairman of Modati Union Parishad also went viral, reportedly discussing VGF rice distribution.
However, UP Chairman Jahangir Alam Biplob could not be reached for comment.
A village police source said Biplob was recently arrested in a sabotage case and is currently in jail.
Sabuj denied the allegations, saying, “I never spoke with that chairman. For 17 years I have fought for people’s rights. A vested quarter is conspiring against me.” He urged journalists to monitor irregularities in the area.
Kaliganj BNP Convener Jahangir Alam acknowledged hearing about the alleged demand. He said, “I have heard about the 30 percent rice claim in the MP’s name. District BNP leaders are aware and will take organisational steps soon.”
According to the Kaliganj UNO office, the Disaster Management Department allocated 22,864 VGF cards across eight unions for Eid-ul-Fitr, including 3,345 cards for Modati union.
Kaliganj UNO Shamima Akter Jahan said, “Local MPs must be informed about VGF rice distribution, but there is no mention of a thirty percent quota.”
About the viral audio, she added, “We have heard it too. It is embarrassing.”
