Pro-Awami artistes on Rajshahi BNP stage, social media storm of criticism

Rajshahi Correspondent:

After 17 years, singer Gaurab Hossain Tushar, brother-in-law of former State Minister for Information and Communication Technology Junaid Ahmed Palak, performed on the stage of an important BNP conference held in Rajshahi. This artist, who has a long history of singing on the Awami League’s campaign stage, has spread surprise and anger among the grassroots leaders and activists to see him on the BNP’s political stage.

Gaurab performed a song on the one-year anniversary of the mass uprising on August 5 and at the Rajshahi Metropolitan BNP’s biennial conference on August 10. Local sources said that Gaurab’s wife Setu is Palak’s cousin. When he was the State Minister, Palak gave him a job at the government mobile finance service ‘Nagad’.

A search of Gaurab’s Facebook page showed that he shared numerous pictures with Palak, posts seeking votes with the boat symbol, and Awami League campaign content. Palak also shared his music video to congratulate him—a screenshot of which Gaurab also put on his timeline.

A local leader and activist expressed his anger and said, “Gaurab and his family are staunch Awami League supporters. Rajshahi has no shortage of singers that BNP would bring to an important event. I never dreamed of running BNP’s campaign with an Awami League campaigner.”

A person named Jasim Uddin wrote on Facebook, “Former Chhatra League activist and former minister Palak’s sister-in-law Gaurab Hossain is a staunch Awami League supporter. He has served in various Awami League campaigns.”

Former joint general secretary of the district Jubo Dal, Sabbir Ahmed (Rogers Sabbir), complained and wrote, “Gaurab is the sister-in-law of former Jubo League and Chhatra League leader, MP Palak, the killer of the Revolutionary July. Due to the efforts of some leaders, he is conducting a cultural program at the BNP conference today, if you look for him, you will find the blood of our brothers.”

In this regard, Kishor Apan commented, “A few days ago, Gaurab was in charge of the cultural event at the BNP program in Alupatti.” An ID named Saudia Zaman Mim wrote, “Those who worked during the Awami League will work during the BNP—good wishes.”

When contacted, Gaurab Hossain Tushar said, “I am an artist. I have received invitations, received payments, performed events. I will sing at the event of whoever pays me.”

Rajshahi Metropolitan BNP convener Ershad Ali Isha and Rajshahi District BNP convener Abu Sayeed Chand could not be reached for comment as they did not answer their phones.

A cultural program was held in the inaugural session of the conference that began on Sunday morning. In the afternoon, the party’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman spoke virtually. The program was attended by top leaders of Rajshahi Metropolitan and District BNP as well as leaders and activists of organ and associate organizations.