Abdul Qayyum Chowdhury, president of the Sylhet district unit of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), has been appointed administrator of the Sylhet City Corporation.
A notification issued on Sunday by the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives appointed administrators to six city corporations across the country. The government earlier removed the mayor and councillors elected to Sylhet City Corporation on August 5, 2024. Following their removal, the Sylhet Divisional Commissioner was assigned as interim administrator.
Qayyum Chowdhury was elected Sylhet district BNP president on March 29, 2022. Since then, he has played a key role in strengthening the party’s organizational structure at the grassroots level. On July 9, 2023, he fell ill during a youth rally in Sylhet and was airlifted to Dhaka for treatment. Although he recovered, he did not fully regain his previous physical strength but remained active in party activities.
In the 13th National Parliament election, he sought BNP nomination for the Sylhet-3 constituency, comprising South Surma and Fenchuganj upazilas. However, the party nominated another candidate. Despite being denied nomination, he continued working for the party and was given responsibility as coordinator in six constituencies in Sylhet district. BNP’s electoral symbol, the “Paddy Sheaf,” won in five constituencies in the district.
Speaking to reporters, Qayyum Chowdhury said he would fulfill the responsibility entrusted to him by the party Chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. He sought cooperation from all citizens to make Sylhet a livable city.
The notification states that the appointed administrators will exercise the powers and perform the duties of mayor until further orders and will receive allowances as per government rules.
