BNP leader alleges minister forced to resign over district council nomination dispute
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The resignation of Minister for Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Dipen Dewan has sparked internal friction within the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), with allegations surfacing that his departure was forced due to a dispute over key administrative appointments in the Rangamati Hill District.
Manish Dewan, a central leader of the BNP and a former military officer, asserted in a social media statement that the minister was coerced into resigning following a conflict regarding the nomination for the chairman of the Rangamati District Council. According to Manish Dewan, the former minister had recommended him for the position, which clashed with the preferences of State Minister for Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs, Barrister Mir Mohammad Helal.
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The allegation suggests that the state minister favored the appointment of Dipen Talukder Dipu, the president of the Rangamati district unit of the BNP. Manish Dewan characterized this as a political maneuver, accusing the district president of failing to participate in recent anti-government movements and claiming he has been mired in controversies involving tender manipulation and local patronage since early August.
While Dipen Dewan formally cited physical illness in his resignation letter submitted to the Prime Minister, stating that his health hindered his ability to manage ministerial duties effectively, the narrative provided by Manish Dewan presents a different picture of internal power struggles. The discord allegedly stems from a broader discomfort regarding the dual leadership structure within the ministry, as the appointment of a state minister from outside the Chittagong Hill Tracts region—specifically from the Hathazari constituency—has caused unease among local indigenous communities who traditionally view these ministerial roles as being reserved for their representatives.
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State Minister Mir Mohammad Helal has denied these claims, asserting that no professional or personal rift existed between him and the outgoing minister. Speaking on the matter, Helal maintained that they shared a positive working relationship and that he was unaware of any specific pressures that would lead to a forced resignation.
Meanwhile, Rangamati District BNP President Dipen Talukder declined to comment on the allegations regarding the council nomination, stating that he remains ready to fulfill any responsibilities entrusted to him by the party leadership. He further dismissed claims regarding his absence from recent political activities, asserting that his commitment to the movement is well-known to party officials.
As political maneuvering continues, the resignation has met with significant resistance on the ground. Supporters of the outgoing minister have organized roadblocks and demonstrations in Rangamati, urging the Prime Minister to reject the resignation letter. Despite the growing public discourse and speculation, no official sources from the government have yet provided definitive confirmation regarding the underlying factors behind the minister’s departure.
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