BNP, NCP get into scuffle at EC hearing over Brahmanbaria-2 and 3 boundaries
Police officers and EC officials intervened to bring the situation under control.
A scuffle broke out between BNP and the National Citizen Party (NCP) during a hearing on claims and objections regarding the draft boundaries of the Brahmanbaria-2 and 3 constituencies today (24 August).
The hearing was held after the Election Commission (EC) received applications both supporting and opposing its draft proposal. Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin and other election commissioners were present at the time.
BNP leader Barrister Rumeen Farhana presented arguments in favour of the draft, while several others opposed it. At around 12:45pm, participants from both sides became agitated, leading to a scuffle inside the hearing room.
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Police officers and EC officials intervened to bring the situation under control.
The EC secretary then ended the hearing for Brahmanbaria-2 and 3 and asked the participants to leave.
Speaking to reporters after the session, Rumeen Farhana, who is seeking BNP nomination from Brahmanbaria-2, said, "NCP representatives came to the Election Commission with thugs and goons and caused a disturbance. I was pushed.
"What the Awami League did not dare to do in the last 15 years, the NCP has shown today. I want justice from the Election Commission on this matter."
Denouncing her claims, Mohammad Ataullah, joint chief organiser of the NCP and representing Brahmanbaria-3, told journalists, "When we went to present our case demanding that the Brahmanbaria-3 constituency remain undivided, supporters of BNP leader Rumeen Farhana from Brahmanbaria-2 attacked me."
In response to queries regarding this allegation, Rumeen Farhana said, "They pushed us first. Seeing this, my followers did not stay put. In protest of their shove, my people pushed them."
Earlier, however, Rumeen Farhana had claimed the scuffle was between two factions of BNP.
Rumeen Farhana said, "It is a very sad matter that a scuffle took place here. The candidate from Brahmanbaria-3 and his group of 20–25 people behaved like thugs, which is extremely regrettable and shameful. I think this does not go with the dignity and honour of the commission."
She added, "The BNP activists for whom I fought for 15 years pushed me today. If such a situation happens in our own party before the election regarding the boundaries, one can imagine what will happen in the election."
"Today, they almost tried to push me and make me fall. I was hit; my people will not sit idle in response. A push will be met with a push," she said.
Asked about allegations that NCP activists were beaten, she replied, "We did not see whether they were from the NCP-Jamaat or whether they were thugs and goons."
Today marked the opening day of the EC's four-day hearing on draft constituency boundaries.
Eighteen constituencies under the Cumilla region are scheduled for review, with objectors or their authorised representatives required to be present.
According to the schedule, hearings for Brahmanbaria-2, 3 and 5 were allocated from 12pm to 1:30pm.
Those opposing the draft argued that three unions from Bijoynagar upazila — Budhasti, Chandura and Harashpur — had been added to Brahmanbaria-2, and demanded that the upazila remain undivided.
Under the 2024 boundary, Brahmanbaria-2 comprised Sarail and Ashuganj upazilas. The 2025 draft includes Sarail, Ashuganj and the Budhasti, Chandura and Harashpur unions of Bijoynagar.
In 2024, Brahmanbaria-3 consisted of Brahmanbaria Sadar and Bijoynagar. Under the 2025 draft, it will comprise Brahmanbaria Sadar and the Ichhapur, Champanagar, Pattant, Dakshin Singarbil, Bishnupur, Char Islampur and Paharapur unions of Bijoynagar.
