Sylhet metropolitan unit of the opposition BNP has instructed presidents and secretaries of 27 wards to make lists of party workers participating in any kind of election campaigning on behalf of the expelled mayor or councillor or other candidates.
“Strict disciplinary action will be taken against those who disobey the instructions,” the unit's general secretary, Imdad Hossain Chowdhury, said on Sunday night.
The letter signed by metropolitan unit President Nasim Hossain and Imdad Hossain states that the BNP has decided not to participate in any polls under the current government and this Election Commission.
Ariful Haque Choudhury, who was elected the mayor of Sylhet City Corporation (SCC) twice from the BNP, was initially hesitant about participating in the election. But after consulting party high-ups, he decided not to run for another term despite being a favourite candidate in the June 21 election.
A week ago, the BNP expelled 43 leaders, including a mayor candidate, for life for contesting the election. Yet, the expelled leaders are continuing campaigns with the hope to win the polls.
Earlier, a dozen of the BNP's 29 expelled councillor candidates won the Gazipur city polls where voter turnout was 48.75% despite the BNP's call to people and party supporters to boycott the election.
The trend of the grassroots leaders defying the central high command's decision has also been seen in Barisal, Khulna and Rajshahi where 19, nine and 16 leaders have been expelled from the party for life.
Among the expelled leaders in Sylhet are mayoral candidate and Juba Dal leader Salahuddin Rimon, district unit Chhatra Dal President Altaf Hossain Sumon and General Secretary Delwar Hossain Nadeem.
Rimon is vying for the mayoral post as an independent candidate against seven other contenders.