Mamunur Rashid, also known as CUCSU Mamun, a former BNP leader now running as an independent candidate in the Sylhet-5 (Kanaighat–Jakiganj) constituency, has disclosed an outstanding bank loan exceeding TK 43.6 crore in his election affidavit.
The revelation has sparked concerns about financial transparency and accountability as the parliamentary elections approach.
Rashid, 60, submitted the notarized affidavit on December 28, 2025, detailing a total liability of Tk 43,64,16,679 owed to Al-Arafah Islami Bank PLC. The loan was secured in his role as chairman, managing director, or director of an unspecified institution.
The document makes no mention of any rescheduling agreements or overdue payments. Other loan categories, such as personal loans, joint liabilities, or those involving dependents, were reported as blank.
In terms of income and assets, Rashid declared an annual income of Tk 500,000 from “other sources,” without elaboration.
His total assets stand at Tk 1,22,53,294, a sum that stands in stark contrast to his substantial debt. For the 2025–26 fiscal year, he reported paying Tk 10,000 in income tax.
The affidavit also highlights a pending criminal case against Rashid, filed in 2022 and currently under trial at the Judicial Magistrate Court in Sylhet. The charges fall under several sections of the Penal Code, 1860, including Section 143 (punishment for being a member of an unlawful assembly), Section 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), Section 114 (abettor present when offense is committed), Section 307 (attempt to murder), Section 500 (defamation), Section 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace), and Section 506 (criminal intimidation).
Notably, the inclusion of Section 307 elevates the severity of the case, though details on the incident, complainant, or trial progress were not provided.
Rashid’s candidacy stems from his decision to run independently after failing to secure the BNP nomination. The party allocated the Sylhet-5 seat to its alliance partner, Jamaat-e-Ulama-e-Islam, as part of a broader agreement.
At a press conference held at the BNP chairperson’s political office in Gulshan, Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir announced that four seats, including Sylhet-5, were ceded to the ally.
He emphasized, “BNP will not field any candidate in these seats. Everyone must abide by the party’s decision. If anyone becomes a rebel candidate, the party will take action against them.”
The seat was assigned to Jamaat-e-Ulama-e-Islam’s central committee president, Maulana Obaidullah Faruk.
Despite the party’s stance, Rashid collected his nomination papers and has been actively campaigning through rallies and meetings for an extended period.
He stated, “I will contest the election; there is no chance to withdraw. I bought the nomination form on Thursday and will submit it. I have been working for the election for a long time. Now there is no chance not to contest.”
On December 30, 2025, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi issued a notice expelling Rashid from primary membership and all-party positions for defying the decision and running as a rebel candidate.
