Controversy in Kumarkhali: dead person listed in ward BNP committee

Kushtia's Kumarkhali upazila is facing internal BNP upheaval after it emerged that a deceased individual was included in the Chapra Union Ward-5 committee. The revelation has sparked bewildered criticism among grassroots party members.

The deceased, Md Shahid, who passed away more than a year ago from cardiac arrest, was also a member of the party.

Insiders claim that loyal, long-serving members were sidelined in favour of relatives and handpicked candidates, resulting in the absurd inclusion of a deceased individual, apparently just to fill a key position while maintaining control.

Md Fazlu, organising secretary of the same committee and brother of the deceased, said, "My brother passed away more than a year ago. His inclusion is clearly a mistake. We submitted a list, but a different one was approved."

First page of the issued list of the BNP committee. Photo: TBS

Reports indicate that 42 of the committee's 51 members were selected from the ward president's area, while the remaining eight areas contributed only nine members collectively. 

Abdur Razzak Raja, a sidelined party leader, criticised the selection process: "Long-serving leaders were ignored while relatives and close associates were favoured. One leader's area alone contributed 42 members; that's absurdly disproportionate."

Shahid Mia, president of Ward-5 BNP, responded, "I was unaware that a deceased person was included. I will verify the list. But allegations of handpicking the members are incorrect." 

Second page of the issued list of the full committee. Photo: TBS

Chapra Union BNP general secretary Rezaul Haque added, "If given time, I can investigate and clarify."

Upazila BNP member secretary Lutfur Rahman defended the process, noting, "Committee formation involved the search committee, district, and thana leaders. If no objections were raised at the time, we had no way of knowing. Approval would never have been given if the deceased member's status had been confirmed."