Jubodal Leaders Stage Protests in Patuakhali Over New Committee Appointments
Photo Collected
MIRZAGANJ, Patuakhali — Disgruntled activists from the Jatiyatabadi Juba Dal held protest rallies and demonstrations in Mirzaganj and Dumki upazilas of Patuakhali this week, citing the inclusion of businessmen in newly announced committees.
Protests erupted in Mirzaganj on Thursday afternoon, following similar demonstrations in Dumki on Wednesday evening. The protesters, who were excluded from the new party leadership, are demanding the immediate dissolution of the committees and calling for the recognition of grassroots activists who have remained loyal to the organization.
The controversy stems from a press release issued by the central Juba Dal on Wednesday, signed by Joint General Secretary Minhazul Islam Bhuiyan. The statement announced partial committees for both upazilas, authorized by Central Committee President Abul Monayem Munna and General Secretary Mohammad Nurul Islam Nayan. In Mirzaganj, Gazi Rashed Shams was named president and Gazi Ataur Rahman as general secretary. In Dumki, Zakir Alam (Milan) was appointed president and Zahidul Islam (Rubel) as general secretary. The leadership has directed these committees to form a full 71-member panel within one month.
Opponents of the new appointments allege that the committees were formed without regard for the party’s long-term dedicated members. Mohammad Mizanur Rahman, a joint convener of the Mirzaganj upazila Juba Dal, claimed that individuals who suffered and protested during the 17-year tenure of the Awami League were bypassed in favor of businessmen and those facing narcotics-related charges.
In Dumki, former convener Jashim Uddin Howlader alleged that newly appointed president Zakir Alam resides in Dhaka year-round due to business interests and remains largely inactive in local politics. Similarly, joint convener Shahidul Islam Sardar criticized the appointment of General Secretary Zahidul Islam, alleging that he operates a restaurant at the Payra Bridge toll plaza and has not participated in recent party activities.
Defending the appointments, Zahidul Islam refuted the allegations as baseless. He stated that he has been involved with the party since childhood and noted that his father, the late Yunuch Ali Howlader, served as the general secretary of the Dumki upazila BNP until 2005.
Zakir Alam, the newly appointed Dumki upazila president, asserted that there is no party mandate prohibiting businessmen from engaging in politics. He maintained that he previously served as a joint convener in the outgoing committee and questioned the grievances of those currently protesting, noting that they had previously worked together in the field.
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