Over 500 leaders, activists from AL, NCP and JaPa join BNP in Khagrachhari
The joining programme was organised by the district BNP at a local community centre in Matiranga, marking one of the largest recent defections in the hill district.
More than 500 leaders and activists from the banned Awami League (AL), Jatiyo Party (JaPa) and National Citizen Party (NCP) joined the BNP in Khagrachhari's Matiranga upazila last evening (12 January), reports Prothom Alo.
The joining programme was organised by the district BNP at a local community centre in Matiranga, marking one of the largest recent defections in the hill district.
According to Prothom Alo's report, among those who joined the BNP were former general secretary of the AL's Matiranga municipal unit Md Saiful Islam, JaPa Matiranga municipality General Secretary Md Alauddin, and Liton Biswas, a member of the NCP's upazila committee.
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They formally joined the party by presenting flower bouquets to Wadud Bhuiyan, the BNP-nominated candidate for the Khagrachhari parliamentary constituency and president of the district unit of the party.
Welcoming the new entrants, Wadud said the move will strengthen the party's organisational base in Matiranga.
Saiful and Alauddin also spoke at the event.
Alauddin said, "The BNP is a party of the masses. Its role in restoring people's rights and the dignity of voting has inspired us. That is why more than 500 leaders and activists from JaPa and NCP have joined the BNP to strengthen Wadud Bhuiyan's leadership."
Meanwhile, Saiful said, "We have joined the BNP considering the country's current political situation, the movement to restore democracy and our confidence in the BNP's programmes."
Commenting on the matter, Mithila Rowaza, general secretary of JaPa's Khagrachhari unit and the party's nominated candidate for the seat, said, "Most of those who joined were not well known within the party.
"Except for one or two individuals, the rest are unfamiliar to us. Their departure will not affect our party activities or election prospects."
Subodh Bikash Chakma, Khagrachhari NCP member secretary, said, "Those who joined the BNP were not active members of our party. Many of them are not even known to us."
Regarding the joining of former Awami League members, BNP Matiranga municipality President Md Shahjalal Kajol said, "None of them face any legal cases. Although they were Awami League workers or supporters, there were no allegations against them during the party's time in power. They did not harm anyone, and we have accepted them wholeheartedly."
