Md. Shahjahan Bashar Dhaka Correspondent:
A scuffle and a massive commotion broke out between two BNP groups during the Election Commission (EC) hearing on the seat realignment of the 13th National Parliament elections, focusing on Brahmanbaria-2 and 3 constituencies.
The hearing began at 12 noon on Sunday (August 24) at the auditorium of the Agargaon Election Building in the capital. The clash took place in the presence of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin.
Eyewitnesses said that at the hearing, BNP’s co-international secretary and former MP Barrister Rumin Farhana, a candidate for Brahmanbaria-2 constituency, presented arguments in favor of the draft boundaries. On the other hand, local BNP leaders Khurshid Alam, Advocate Shafiqul Alam and Advocate Imam Hossain, along with some others, opposed the draft as three unions of Bijoynagar upazila were merged into another constituency. At that time, the scuffle broke out due to arguments.
After the clash, Rumin Farhana expressed her anger and said, “What has not happened in 15 years has happened today. They have tried to push me and throw me away. After fighting for BNP for so many years, I have been humiliated today by my own party leaders and activists. If such a situation exists in the party before the election, then what will happen in the election?”
She also said, “The candidate from Brahmanbaria-3 has hooliganized with 20-25 people. This is very shameful and incompatible with the dignity of the commission.”
Meanwhile, three NCP leaders—Engineers Aminul Haque Chowdhury, Mustafa Sumon and Ataullah—were allegedly injured during the clash. Engineer Aminul Haque told reporters, “Our crime was to come to the EC with our demands. But we were beaten up in front of the CEC.”
When Rumeen Farhana was asked about the allegations of attacks on the NCP, she said, “We did not see whether they were NCP-Jamaat or goondas-mastans.”
To control the situation, EC Secretary Akhtar Ahmed declared the hearings of the two constituencies over and requested everyone present to leave the hall.
During the hearing, there were reports of commotion outside the election building. Police were deployed to bring the situation under control and water cannons were kept ready in front of the building.