Netrakona Corresponden
After 11 long years, the BNP conference of Barhatta Upazila in Netrokona district is going to be held on Sunday, May 25. A council will also be held at the same time after the conference. Ahead of the conference, there is a great festive atmosphere among the leaders and activists. Talking to the leaders, it was learned that the last Barhatta Upazila BNP conference was held in 2014. When the term of that committee expired, a convening committee was formed in 2019. Since 2019, the activities of the Upazila BNP have been carried out through the convening committee. The last conference of Barhatta Upazila BNP was scheduled to be held in 2022. But shortly before the conference was to take place, some leaders and activists of the Upazila Awami League, Jubo League and Chhatra League, led by then Upazila Chairman Mainul Haque Kashem and former Sahta Union Chairman Mizanur Rahman Chanchal, set fire to the BNP conference stage. Later, when an attempt was made to hold a conference on the grounds of Barhatta Technical and Commercial College, a Jubo League program was held at the same place on the same day. Therefore, the Upazila BNP conference was forced to be postponed. According to Barhatta Upazila BNP sources, voting for the posts of president and general secretary will be held at the conference. In this, 497 voters from 7 unions of the upazila will exercise their voting rights. The names of 4 heavyweight candidates for the post of president and 3 for the post of general secretary are being heard. Current Upazila BNP convener Mostaq Ahmed will contest for the post of president in the election. The others for this post are former upazila chairman and joint convener of upazila BNP Manik Azad, former president and freedom fighter Rahmat Ali Talukder, and three-time successful former chairman of Bausi Union and joint convener of upazila BNP Rashid Alam Talukder. Current Upazila BNP member secretary Ashiq Ahmed Kamal, Upazila BNP joint convener Akkas Ali, Upazila BNP joint convener Arifullah Sohel will contest for the post of general secretary. Some voters told the daily, “We want to elect honest, idealistic, and selfless leaders to the positions of president and general secretary.” “Those who will always stand by the grassroots leaders and activists in good times and bad.” Presidential candidate Manik Azad, former upazila chairman and senior joint convener of upazila BNP, said, “Even after a long time, fascist Hasina has fallen.” “That’s why we are able to hold the party conference independently. There is a festive atmosphere among the party leaders and activists across Barhatta Upazila surrounding the BNP conference. I hope that the party will be more well-organized and stronger with the new leadership,” he expressed his strong conviction in winning the post of president. Presidential candidate and former Upazila BNP president, freedom fighter Rahmat Ali Talukder said that he was the president of BNP during its dark days and kept the workers safe. I am still with the grassroots workers. I am going to all the councilors and hope they will vote for me and make me the winner. Rashid Alam Talukder, joint convener of the Upazila BNP, the presidential candidate, said that based on my complaint, the questionable councilors have been removed from the committees of the seven unions of the Upazila BNP and four resigned members have been included. I hope the Trinamool BNP councilors who have resigned will vote for me and make me the winner. Presidential candidate and current Upazila BNP convener Mostaq Ahmed said, “Our conference is on May 25. We have come here after going through long ups and downs. I have always been with the Trinamool BNP and I still am. I hope they will make me victorious in the elections.” General Secretary candidate and current Upazila BNP member secretary Ashiq Ahmed Kamal said, “The fascist Sheikh Hasina government has subjected us to various tortures and abuses by filing cases against us. Due to their torture, we have had to flee with the burden of numerous cases on our heads.” “Still, I have been, am and will be by the side of the party leaders and activists. I hope that the party leaders and activists will vote for me and elect me as the general secretary.”