BNP shakes up Dhaka North leadership after clinic attack allegations
Bangladesh's main opposition party, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), has dissolved three key city committees and expelled 14 leaders and activists in a sweeping disciplinary action announced on Wednesday. The moves come amid allegations that some local members were involved in a recent attack on a maternal healthcare facility in Dhaka's Mirpur district, though the party's official statements did not mention the incident.
Which committees were dissolved?
The BNP dissolved the 51-member convening committee of its Dhaka North City unit, led by Convener Md. Aminul Islam and Member Secretary Md. Mostafa Zaman. The party also disbanded the Dhaka North City unit of its youth wing, Jubo Dal, and the Dhaka West City unit of its student wing, Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD).
According to press releases signed by party officials, the Jubo Dal and Chhatra Dal committees were dissolved because their terms had expired. A new committee for the Dhaka North City BNP unit will be announced soon, the party said.
Who was expelled and why?
The BNP expelled three individuals from all party positions, including primary membership: Shah Ali Thana BNP Joint Convener Khalil Chowdhury, C-Block Unit BNP General Secretary Anwar Hossain, and Dhaka North City BNP Member Hafizur Rahman Shukku. The party cited allegations of anti-organisational activities and unethical conduct.
Chhatra Dal expelled five members, including Dhaka West City Vice President Sarwar Alam Piash and Senior Joint General Secretary Md. Rafiqul Islam Jinnah, for breaching organisational discipline. Swechchhasebak Dal, the party's volunteer wing, expelled its Darussalam Thana Convener Md Akhtar Hossain Mamun and Member Secretary Md Hafizur Rahman. Four Sramik Dal (workers' front) figures were also removed, including Shah Ali Thana Joint Convener Monir Hossain and Darussalam Thana Convener Golam Rasul Parvez.
What prompted the disciplinary action?
The expulsions follow the attack and vandalism at the Radda MCH-FP Centre, a maternal and child healthcare facility in Mirpur. While the party statements did not reference the attack, local media reports have linked some of those expelled to the incident.
Notably, on Tuesday, the BNP expelled Mofizur Rahman Mamun, President of Ward No. 91 BNP under Pallabi police station. Reports allege Mamun controls a criminal syndicate in Mirpur from Malaysia, with his brothers Jamil Rahman and Moshiur Rahman managing operations on the ground. The group faces allegations of extortion, controlling the garment scrap trade, land grabbing, and drug trafficking across Mirpur's Pallabi, Mirpur-12, Sagufta and Baunia areas.
What does this mean for the BNP?
The disciplinary sweep signals an effort by the BNP leadership to distance the party from criminal elements and restore internal discipline ahead of potential electoral contests. By acting decisively against local power brokers, the party aims to project a cleaner image, though critics may question whether the measures go far enough given the severity of the allegations.
The dissolution of committees and expulsions were approved by the respective central leaderships, including BNP's organisational bodies, Jubo Dal President Abdul Monayem Munna, Chhatra Dal President Rakibul Islam Rakib, and Swechchhasebak Dal President SM Jilani.
FAQ
Why did the BNP dissolve the Dhaka North City committee?
The party did not state a specific reason for dissolving the Dhaka North City BNP committee. The Jubo Dal and Chhatra Dal committees were dissolved because their terms had expired, according to official statements.
Were the expulsions linked to the Radda clinic attack?
The party statements did not mention the Radda MCH-FP Centre attack. They cited allegations of anti-organisational activities and unethical conduct as grounds for the expulsions.
How many people were expelled in total?
Fourteen leaders and activists were expelled across the BNP, Chhatra Dal, Swechchhasebak Dal and Sramik Dal. An additional expulsion of Ward No. 91 BNP President Mofizur Rahman Mamun was announced on Tuesday.