Gazi Gias Uddin Bashir, Jhalokati correspondent: A new discussion and criticism has started in the local political arena centered on the presence of Awami League leader UP Chairman and exchange of floral greetings at the organizational meeting of Kirtipasha Union BNP No. 5 in Sadar Upazila of Jhalokati. There has also been a widespread reaction on social media regarding the presence of Union Parishad Chairman Union Awami League Vice President Engineer Abdur Rahim Mia and the greetings of BNP leaders with flowers at the meeting. A BNP group says that several lakhs of taka were exchanged behind this.
The meeting was held at 5 pm on Wednesday in the Kirtipasha Union Parishad meeting room to accelerate organizational activities. Jhalokati Sadar Upazila BNP President SM Ejaz Hasan was present as the chief guest at the meeting. Union BNP President Md. Anisuzzaman Chapal presided over the meeting and General Secretary Shariful Haque Mia moderated the meeting.
Upazila BNP General Secretary Md. Khokon Mallick, Publicity Secretary Azizul Haque and Union BNP Organizing Secretary Md. Kamrul Hasan spoke as special guests at the meeting. At the meeting, the presidents and general secretaries of the nine wards of the union highlighted various issues of organizational activities in their respective areas. However, outside the formal activities of the meeting, the most discussed was the presence of Union Parishad Chairman Awami League leader Engineer Abdur Rahim Mia. He greeted Upazila BNP President SM Ejaz Hasan, General Secretary Md. Khokon Mallick and other leaders with flowers. After that, a wide discussion started on social media about the issue. Critics claim that he has been seen participating in various Awami League programs in the past. Several pictures of him with former Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu have also been circulated on social media. In view of this, many have raised questions about his current political position. However, a section of local residents say that Engineer Abdur Rahim Mia won the election not with the party symbol, but as an independent candidate with the ‘pineapple’ symbol. As part of his duties as a public representative, he has participated in various political and social events at different times.
In this regard, Engineer Abdur Rahim Mia said, ‘My father and grandfather, along with my family members, have been involved in BNP politics for a long time. I was elected by the people’s vote and have always tried to work for the welfare of the people.’
He also said, ‘I believe in the ideals of martyred President Ziaur Rahman. I am interested in being involved in BNP politics in the future. In the past, I was forced to go to Amir Hossain Amur’s program.
Meanwhile, Upazila BNP President SM Ejaz Hasan said, ‘According to the central directives, there is currently no opportunity to include or join new members in BNP. As a courtesy, since there was a BNP meeting in the Union Parishad, UP Chairman Rahim Mia greeted us with flowers.
Ejaz Hasan said that this was a regular organizational meeting of BNP and no activities were conducted outside the party’s policies.
According to local political analysts, there are signs of a new polarization in Kirti Pasha politics surrounding this recent incident. The discussion that has begun, especially regarding the political position of local public representatives, may have an impact on future politics and the UP elections.
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