By Mohammad Shariful Alam Chowdhury, Cumilla: Political tensions have reached a boiling point in Cumilla over a recent statement made by Hasnat Abdullah, the Chief Organizer of the National Citizen Party (NCP) for the southern region. Hasnat claimed that “BNP leaders now conduct politics with Awami League money”—a remark that drew fierce backlash from BNP. In response, BNP's North and South district units, along with city leaders, Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, Swechchhasebak Dal, and all affiliated wings, have declared Hasnat “unwanted” in his own constituency of Debidwar.
On May 20, a massive protest march started from Gunai Ghar in Debidwar and paraded through the main roads of the municipality before turning into a rally at the New Market Freedom Fighter Square along the Cumilla-Sylhet regional highway. Despite stormy weather and heavy rain, thousands of BNP activists participated—signaling the party’s full-throttle stance on the matter.
Speakers at the rally demanded a public apology and retraction of the statement from Hasnat. Otherwise, they warned, he would be banned from setting foot on Cumilla soil again.
Barrister Rezviul Ahsan Munshi issued a 7-day ultimatum, saying:
"Debidwar is BNP’s stronghold. If Hasnat fails to apologize within a week, this area will be formally declared off-limits for him."
In a separate press briefing, Prof. Md. Selim Bhuiyan, BNP’s Organizational Secretary for the Cumilla Division, said:
"Hasnat's remarks are immature and indicative of mental instability. He is unfit for responsible politics."
He further alleged:
"The government is using parties like NCP and their childish leaders to try to dominate the political field. This tactic poses a serious threat to democracy."
Political analysts believe the standoff between BNP and NCP in the Cumilla-4 constituency could spark further unrest. Although the seat was once a BNP stronghold, it later fell under Awami League control. Now, NCP's sudden emergence poses a new challenge to BNP’s traditional dominance.
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