Debidwar BNP Removes Member Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Over Rival Rally Announcement

Mohammad Abul Kalam Azad has been relieved of his position as member secretary of the Debidwar upazila unit of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in Cumilla following a dispute over programmes marking National Revolution and Solidarity Day.

He was removed over allegations that he announced a rival programme in defiance of the party's decision. Senior joint convener Mohammad Nazrul Islam Sarker has been appointed as the new member secretary.

The decision was announced in a notice signed by Cumilla North District BNP Convener Mohammad Abul Hashem on Saturday afternoon. Debidwar Upazila BNP Convener Mohammad Jasim Uddin confirmed the development later that night.

According to party sources, the upazila BNP had arranged a discussion meeting and rally for 2pm on Sunday (November 8) to mark National Revolution and Solidarity Day, observed on November 7.

However, Abul Kalam Azad issued a separate press release under his sole signature, announcing a rival rally over the same occasion. The move reportedly created dissatisfaction among the upazila unit's leadership.

Upazila BNP Convener Jasim Uddin alleged that Azad's press release listed several leaders, including reserved-seat lawmaker Rasheda Begum Hira, as guests without informing them. He claimed that those named were unaware of the programme itself. He described the announcement of a separate event in defiance of the party's decision as a breach of organisational discipline.

The party notice said there was clear evidence that Abul Kalam Azad had been involved in activities contrary to party discipline and had damaged the party's image. It instructed Nazrul Islam Sarker to perform the duties of member secretary until further notice.

Following the decision, Abul Kalam Azad reacted in a post on his verified Facebook account. Referring to himself as now “free of burden”, he wrote: “The politics of Debidwar Upazila BNP is not in Debidwar. Thanks to the person who is playing this beautiful game. I cannot help but thank them for relieving me of my position and, in a way, freeing me of a burden.”

On July 14, a 16-member convening committee of Debidwar Upazila BNP was approved, with Mohammad Jasim Uddin as convener and Mohammad Abul Kalam Azad as member secretary. Azad's removal just four months after the committee was formed has sparked renewed discussion in local BNP politics.