At a press conference in Dhaka’s Paltan on Friday, member of the High Council and Joint General Secretary of Gono Odhikar Parishad Mahfuzur Rahman Khan launched a scathing critique against the organisation’s nomination of Abdur Rahman as their candidate for Gazipur-2 constituency. The press event revealed deep fractures within the organisation over candidate selection processes.
Mahfuzur Rahman issued a stark warning: “We cannot tarnish Gono Odhikar Parishad’s history of struggle by handing it over to those marked by the ‘truck’ symbol of plunder.”
He emphasised the grassroots origins of the movement, stating the organisation was “not built on any individual’s donations, but on the sacrifices and struggles of students and the masses,” while accusing current leadership of pursuing “donor-based candidate selection.”
The controversy stems from Abdur Rahman’s unexpected nomination announcement on July 24, which Mahfuzur claims violated organisational protocols. He revealed that “no nomination board was formed as per the constitution, nor were central or regional leaders consulted” about the decision.
The situation escalated when Mahfuzur faced organisational retaliation for his objections. “When I protested this injustice, I was labeled mentally unstable and expelled from the organisation,” he said.
Gazipur Metropolitan Gono Odhikar Parishad President Haji Mubarak Hossain Sarkar joined the criticism, questioning the nominee’s local credentials by asserting “Abdur Rahman isn’t even a Gazipur resident.” In a dramatic show of solidarity, Sarkar threatened to withdraw his candidacy “if Mahfuzur isn’t made the candidate.”
The dissenting faction presented clear demands: Immediate suspension of the current candidacy, fresh decisions through proper consultation with local leaders, a formal apology for defamatory remarks against Mahfuzur, and withdrawal of his expulsion order.
The press conference saw additional expressions of discontent from prominent local leaders including Gazipur Metropolitan General Secretary Mumin Hossain Akand and former organising secretary Musa Mia, who joined in condemning the controversial nomination process.
The unfolding crisis highlights growing tensions within Gono Odhikar Parishad between established organisational procedures and what dissenting members perceive as undue external influence in candidate selection, setting the stage for a potentially divisive internal conflict as elections approach.