The BNP has instructed its party leaders and activists to assist Nurul Haque Nur, president of the Gono Odhikar Parishad, with his organizational activities in his parliamentary constituency, Patuakhali-3 (Galachipa-Dashmina).
A letter signed by BNP’s Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on October 22 directed the Patuakhali district BNP convener and member-secretary to this effect.
On Monday, the letter circulated on social media.
Shamsuddin Didar, a member of the BNP Chairperson’s press wing, confirmed the matter to Dhaka Tribune.
He said: “The letter was issued to the district BNP based on the party’s decision, instructing them to work in support of Nur.”
In addition, similar letters have been sent to Mahmudur Rahman Manna of Nagorik Oikya, ASM Abdur Rob of JSD, Junaid Saki of Ganosamhati Andolon, Syed Ehsanul Huq of the National Party, and Rashed Khan of the Gono Odhikar Parishad, instructing the BNP in their respective parliamentary areas.
Snehangshu Sarkar, member-secretary of the Patuakhali district BNP, also confirmed receiving the letter. He said that further details regarding the letter would be communicated after consultation in Dhaka.
The letter said: “Nurul Haque Nur, president of Gono Odhikar Parishad, has played an active and significant role in the joint movement against the recent fascist Awami misrule. You are directed to provide comprehensive support for his public relations and organizational activities in his parliamentary area (Patuakhali-3, Galachipa-Dashmina). It is requested that necessary instructions be given to inform BNP leaders and activists, as well as those of its affiliated and allied organizations, at the relevant police stations, upazilas, or municipalities in the concerned parliamentary area. This order is of utmost urgency.”
This directive has sparked mixed reactions among BNP members and the general public.
Conversations with BNP leaders, activists, and residents reveal that Nurul Haque’s ancestral home is in Char Biswas Union of Galachipa Upazila in Patuakhali.
As a result, there has long been speculation about his potential candidacy from the Patuakhali-3 (Galachipa-Dashmina) constituency.
On the other hand, Md Hasan Mamun, former President of the Dhaka University Chhatra Dal and a member of the BNP’s National Executive Committee, has been actively seeking BNP's nomination to contest from Patuakhali-3 for a long time. His home is in Dashmina upazila town.
When asked about the letter, Hasan Mamun said it has no connection to the elections.
He explained that the directive aims to provide support for Nurul Haque when he participates in various programs, as he has faced obstacles from some unruly individuals in different places.
"During the past fascist regime, Nurul Haque was attacked in Ulania. The main purpose of the BNP's support is to prevent such incidents from occurring again," he said.
Regarding this, Rashed Khan, General Secretary of the Gono Odhikar Parishad, told Dhaka Tribune: “We have worked together in the movement to overthrow the government. We are partners in the joint movement. My constituency, Jhenaidah-2, along with five others, has directed the local BNP to assist in organizing activities in their respective areas.”