BNP leader reopens closed AL office in Panchagarh

The office was opened in the morning at Chaklahat Union in Panchagarh Sadar upazila by Abu Daud Pradhan, president of the Sadar upazila unit of BNP.

A video of the incident later went viral on social media. It showed Abu Daud Pradhan standing on the veranda of the Awami League office and giving a speech.

According to local sources, Abu Daud Pradhan is a former chairman of Chaklahat Union Parishad.

In his speech, Abu Daud Pradhan said he was unaware that the Awami League party office had remained locked and claimed he would have opened it earlier had he known.

He also said the recent election victory came after 18 years and described it as a mandate given by forces from both sides of the Liberation War, adding that the party had received a record number of votes across Bangladesh.

He said every party has some wrongdoers and that there are clear instructions to expel such elements.

Stressing law and order, he urged leaders and activists of both parties to ensure that peace and stability are not disrupted in Panchagarh.

Referring to local results, he expressed disappointment that the BNP’s ‘sheaf of paddy’ symbol failed to secure first position in any polling centre of his own union.

Addressing Awami League supporters, he said they are citizens of an independent and sovereign Bangladesh and urged them not to engage in any wrongdoing.

He said no offender would be spared, regardless of party affiliation, and asked them to inform him if they faced any harassment.

He referred to cases against Awami League leaders and activists, saying that regardless of their nature, the party’s leader would soon go to Parliament to take oath and, he hoped, become prime minister, after which the situation would be clear.

Freedom fighter Abul Hossain said the office had earlier been locked by Jamaat supporters.

He added that the office was opened with local people present and would temporarily be used by freedom fighters, not for Awami League political activities.

Speaking on the matter, Abu Daud Pradhan said the move was not a party decision.

He said the Awami League office was opened only to prevent tension in the area and maintain peace, adding that the office had earlier been locked by Jamaat supporters.

District BNP Convener Md Jahirul Islam Kacchu said there was no decision from the district or central BNP regarding opening the Awami League office.

He said the upazila BNP president would have to bear responsibility for his action and that the matter would be discussed with the central leadership.

He also said opening the banned Awami League office immediately after the election victory was not a good move and that organisational action would be taken against Abu Daud Pradhan following an investigation for breaching party discipline, reports UNB.