Local leaders and activists of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) staged a protest procession in Jashore-5 (Monirampur) constituency after the party replaced its initially nominated candidate, Upazila BNP President Advocate Shahid Md Iqbal Hossain, with a candidate from Islami Oikya Jote.
The protest procession was held on Wednesday afternoon in Monirampur upazila town, where demonstrators called on the BNP high command to reverse the decision.
Participating BNP leaders and activists said Islami Oikya Jote leader Mufti Rashid Bin Wakkas had played no role in the anti-fascist movement and had no public support, arguing that retaining the nomination of BNP leader and former municipal mayor Shahid Md Iqbal Hossain was essential to win the seat.
Those present at the protest rally included Municipal BNP President Khairul Islam; Thana BNP Senior Vice-President Mofizur Rahman and Organising Secretary Khan Shafiar Rahman; Municipal BNP General Secretary Abdul Hai and Senior Vice-President Santosh Swar; Jubo Dal Acting Convener Muktar Hossain; and Chhatra Dal Convener Oliar Rahman, among others.
From the protest rally, party leaders warned that if the decision was not changed, leaders of thana and municipal BNP units and affiliated organisations would meet on 26 December and announce tougher programmes.
BNP had nominated Shahid Md Iqbal Hossain for the Jashore-5 seat in its second phase nomination list announced on 4 December but the nomination was changed on Wednesday afternoon in favour of Islami Oikya Jote’s Rashid Wakkas.
