A faction of BNP leaders and activists in Kurigram-3 constituency (Ulipur) staged road blockades and sit-in protests demanding a change of the party’s nominated candidate.
The demonstration took place on Thursday in the Upazila town. Organized under the banner of “Ulipur er shorbosthor er jonogon” the program saw participation from local political activists, businessmen, teachers and students, daily wage earners, farmers, and representatives from various professional and social groups.
Speakers at the gathering included Assistant Professor Obaidur Rahman, Zahid Hossain, Upazila BNP leader Motlebur Rahman, Ataur Rahman, Moshiur Rahman, among others.
They demanded a revision of the candidate announced for Kurigram-3 and called for the formal nomination of Abdul Khalek, the BNP National Executive Committee’s joint organizing secretary, for the constituency.
The speakers stressed that Abdul Khalek, a strong and popular party organizer, has consistently supported grassroots members and addressed public concerns. They warned that ignoring him in favor of another candidate could confuse the grassroots, weaken the party, and negatively affect the upcoming election.
The protesters urged intervention from the party’s acting chairman, Tarique Rahman and other central leaders to immediately declare Abdul Khalek as the official candidate for Ulipur-3.
Following the human chain and sit-in, a rally was held, which circled the main roads of the town and concluded at the press club premises, where speakers reiterated their demands during a press briefing.
Notably, former district president and industrialist Tasveer ul Islam had been announced as the potential BNP candidate for Kurigram-3. Since then, followers of Abdul Khalek have been staging protests, demanding the replacement of the declared candidate with Abdul Khalek.
