CHT Affairs Minister Dipen Dewan Resigns Amidst Mounting Political Pressure and Internal Party Factionalism
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The resignation of Dipen Dewan from his post as Minister of Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Affairs, just three and a half months into his tenure, has triggered political unrest and speculation throughout the region. While Mr. Dewan cited medical complications and physical illness in his formal resignation letter submitted to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Monday, his supporters and local party leaders have dismissed these claims, alleging he was forced to step down under immense external pressure.
The move has drawn swift reactions from supporters, who organized road blockades in Rangamati to demand that the resignation be rescinded and the minister reinstated. Mr. Dewan, a former joint district judge who secured a record-breaking victory in the 13th parliamentary elections, had been viewed as a stabilizing force in the historically sensitive region. His political lineage is deeply tied to the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), as his father, Subimal Dewan, previously served as an advisor on indigenous affairs to the late President Ziaur Rahman.
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Local political observers and BNP members suggest the resignation may stem from internal tensions regarding ministerial oversight, the control of regional party dynamics, and disputes surrounding the appointment of administrators to district councils. These developments have surfaced despite a rare period of unity among the region’s three BNP lawmakers—Mr. Dewan, Khagrachhari’s Wadud Bhuiyan, and Bandarban’s Sachingprue Jerry—who had maintained a collaborative working relationship since their electoral success.
The political climate in the Hill Tracts remains complex, characterized by the coexistence of diverse ethnic groups and lingering challenges regarding mutual trust. Following his appointment, Mr. Dewan had initiated dialogue with civic leaders and elected officials to address regional grievances. However, tensions appear to have been exacerbated by factionalism within the local party ranks, specifically between supporters of Mr. Dewan and those loyal to district BNP president Dipan Talukdar. Both sides have denied direct involvement in the resignation, with Mr. Talukdar characterizing the event as a personal decision.
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Senior party members have expressed concern that the departure of Mr. Dewan will undermine the party’s broader reform goals for the region. Saiful Islam Bhutto, vice president of the Rangamati district BNP, suggested that the resignation threatens the cohesion of the Hill Tracts’ diverse communities and could impede the implementation of the party’s 31-point state restructuring program. Several local leaders have explicitly alleged that certain factions within the party provided misinformation to the Prime Minister’s office to incite instability.
The Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs, established in 1998 following the landmark peace accord between the government and the Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti, remains a critical pillar of regional governance. Under the terms of the accord, the ministry was intended to be led by an indigenous representative to ensure local interests are safeguarded. As the region navigates this political vacuum, the future of the ministry and the stability of the Hill Tracts remain at a precarious crossroads.
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