BNP expels 73 leaders for defying party line

Staff Reporter :
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), the primary opposition party, has expelled 73 grassroots leaders for participating in the upcoming first phase of the upazila elections, contrary to the party’s directive.

In a press release issued on Friday, signed by BNP Senior Joint General Secretary Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, it was announced that the decision to expel was made in accordance with the party’s constitution.

The expelled members include candidates for the positions of Chairman, Vice-Chairman, and female Vice-Chairman who are contesting in the first phase of the upazila polls. Among the expelled members, 28 were contesting for the post of upazila chairman, 24 for vice-chairman, and 21 for the role of female vice-chairman.

The BNP had previously resolved not to participate in any elections conducted under the current government and the Election Commission.

Following the announcement of the upazila polls, the BNP’s top policymaking body, the National Standing Committee, reiterated the decision to abstain from these local elections and directed party members to adhere to this policy.

The first phase of the elections, covering 152 upazilas, is scheduled for May 8, as per the Election Commission’s timetable. The elections for a total of 492 upazilas will be conducted in four phases, with subsequent phases on May 23, May 29, and June 5.