Staff Reporter :
#Rumeen says she was shoved to the ground
# A “preview” of poll-day unrest, terms NCP
A hearing at the Election Commission headquarters in Dhaka on Sunday over proposed constituency boundary changes descended into disorder, with allegations of scuffles and physical confrontations among political leaders and their supporters.
Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader and International Affairs Secretary Rumeen Farhana claimed she was pushed during the session by individuals linked to her party colleagues.
Speaking to reporters afterwards, she alleged that supporters of Brahmanbaria district BNP president Khaled Hossain Mahbub entered the hearing with “20-25 outsiders” and disrupted proceedings. “What has not happened in 15 years happened today – they almost pushed me to the ground,” she said.
The session was held to review proposals for redrawing boundaries between Brahmanbaria-2 (Sarail-Ashuganj) and Brahmanbaria-3 (Sadar-Bijoynagar), Rumeen’s constituency.
The draft plan would shift three unions of Bijoynagar upazila – Budhanti, Chandura, and Harashpur – from Brahmanbaria-3 to Brahmanbaria-2. Rumeen supported the proposal, arguing it would balance voter numbers and reflect local geographic and social ties.
However, Mahbub, a contender for the BNP nomination in Brahmanbaria-3, opposed the change, saying the three unions are historically and geographically part of Bijoynagar. He acknowledged the scuffle but described it as “unfortunate,” attributing tensions to heated exchanges involving leaders of the National Citizen Party (NCP).
NCP representatives also alleged they were assaulted. Joint Chief Organiser Md Ataullah claimed he was shoved and injured, while his clothes were torn during the altercation. Rumeen denied attacking anyone but said her supporters reacted after she was pushed.
Later, NCP’s South Region Chief Organiser Hasnat Abdullah accused BNP leaders of attempting to intimidate the Election Commission, warning it could be a “preview” of election-day unrest.
The Election Commission has yet to issue a formal statement. The incident underscored not only inter-party rivalries but also divisions within the BNP as debates over boundary changes intensify ahead of the next general election.
