Narayanganj District BNP restores party signage following internal row over MP office takeover
Photo Collected
The Narayanganj District Nationalist Party (BNP) office, which had been converted into the personal constituency office of local lawmaker Azharul Islam Mannan earlier this week, has been restored to its original status following internal pressure and public backlash.
On Saturday morning, the signage identifying the building as the “Siddhirganj Thana Office of the Member of Parliament for Narayanganj-3” was removed. It was replaced with the original “Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Narayanganj District Branch” signboard. Additionally, photographs of other party members of parliament that had been stripped from the walls were reinstalled inside the facility.
According to party sources, the office, which was inaugurated six months ago by the district BNP convener and local leadership, had been unilaterally co-opted on Thursday. At that time, a group of approximately 15 followers of MP Azharul Islam forcibly removed the district party signage and photographs of three fellow MPs, replacing them with symbols and imagery dedicated exclusively to the Narayanganj-3 lawmaker.
The move triggered significant internal friction and widespread criticism, which was further amplified after reports of the takeover appeared in the national press. Party insiders indicated that the unauthorized rebranding drew the attention of central BNP leadership, who intervened to rectify the situation.
Despite the reversal, tensions remain visible within the local party ranks. During a memorial event for late President Ziaur Rahman held at the office on Saturday, MP Azharul Islam addressed the gathering while district convener Mamun Mahmud and other senior party officials were notably absent.
During his address, the MP distanced himself from the incident, claiming he was unaware of the actions taken by his supporters. He noted that he had been questioned by party leadership regarding the controversy and reiterated his commitment to party discipline. He emphasized that he had no need for a high-profile personal office and would abide by any decisions mandated by the party hierarchy.
Mamun Mahmud, the convener of the Narayanganj District BNP, maintained that the facility must continue to serve exclusively as the district headquarters, noting that there is no room for deviation from its established purpose. Attempts to reach Monir Hossain, the former general secretary of the 6th Ward BNP who was reportedly involved in the initial office takeover, were unsuccessful.
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