Political Dispute Erupts Over Defection of Twelve Individuals to BNP in Satkhira
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A political dispute has emerged in the Padmapukur union of Satkhira’s Shyamnagar upazila following the reported defection of 12 individuals to the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). While the BNP maintains that the new members previously supported Jamaat-e-Islami, local Jamaat leadership has categorically denied these claims.
The transition took place on Friday during a BNP exchange meeting held at the Chondipur Model Government Primary School field. The event was presided over by Md. Amjadul Islam Amjad, joint convener of the Shyamnagar upazila BNP and chairman of the Padmapukur Union Parishad. The 12 individuals were formally welcomed into the party after receiving floral garlands from the chief guest, district BNP joint convener Md. Moniruzzaman.
According to Amjadul Islam, the new members are residents from various wards within the union. He stated that during the national election, these individuals were active supporters of Gazi Nazrul Islam—an expelled Jamaat member who ran for office—and had campaigned against the BNP candidate. Amjadul attributed the change in affiliation to disillusionment regarding the political trajectory of both Gazi Nazrul Islam and the Jamaat party, noting that the new members felt the organization’s practical actions failed to reflect its stated ideals.
Maulana Idris Ali, the Padmapukur union amir of Jamaat-e-Islami, dismissed the BNP’s narrative as politically motivated. He asserted that none of the 12 individuals are recognized members of his party, adding that most were not even supporters. He suggested that the group includes individuals with diverse political backgrounds, including former affiliates of the Awami League and some who had previously supported the BNP. He argued that the BNP is attempting to undermine Jamaat’s strong electoral support in the region through these claims. Regarding the controversy surrounding Gazi Nazrul Islam, the union amir clarified that the party has already taken organizational measures against him.
The defectors, however, have challenged the stance taken by the local Jamaat leadership. কামাল হোসেন (Kamal Hossain), one of the new BNP members, insisted that he possesses proof of his past involvement with Jamaat, including records of financial contributions and participation in party events. He confirmed that he campaigned and voted for the party in the last election but chose to leave due to growing dissatisfaction with its current activities.
Another member, Abdul Aziz, corroborated this sentiment, stating, “I was a Jamaat worker, but I do not want to be part of this party anymore. The work of Jamaat is not good, so I have chosen the BNP.”
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