A section of BNP leaders and activists in Sitakunda formed a nearly 50km-long human chain on Saturday demanding the replacement of the party’s nominated candidate for the Chattogram-4 constituency and calling for BNP Chairperson’s adviser Aslam Chowdhury to be nominated instead.
The programme was held from 11am to 12pm along the Dhaka–Chattogram Highway, stretching from Kaibalya Dham junction in Chattogram city to Bara Darogahat in Sitakunda.
Speakers at the human chain said Aslam Chowdhury had worked for 17 years to keep the party organised in Sitakunda. They said he remained connected to party activities despite spending almost nine years in prison for political involvement and continued to support grassroots leaders with legal aid, financial help and personal follow-ups while behind bars.
They warned that tougher programmes would follow in Sitakunda if Aslam Chowdhury was not nominated.
Chattogram University Chhatra Dal senior vice-president Mamunur Rashid Mamun said, “Ignoring someone who has sacrificed during the party’s crisis means breaking the morale of the grassroots. Aslam Chowdhury has led from the streets during difficult times, and he deserves proper recognition.”
Among those present were Sitakunda Upazila BNP convener Kamal Kader, former member secretary Zahurul Alam Zahur, former municipal BNP organisational secretary Mozaher Uddin Ashraf, and former north district Swechchhasebak Dal president Mohammad Morsalin.
On 3 November, Kazi Mohammad Salauddin, former joint convener of the North District BNP, was nominated as the BNP candidate for Chattogram-4. He is the younger brother of Kazi Mohammad Mohiuddin, member secretary of the upazila BNP.
