Tarique Rahman’s attention drawnThe deeds of Tangail district BNP’s top two Leader

BNP’s Acting Chairman, Tarique Rahman, has instructed all leaders — from the thana, upazila, district, and divisional levels up to the central committee — to work actively for the party. He has urged them to remain humble, listen to people’s sufferings, and stand by the oppressed — principles that reflect the ideology of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman. Following his father’s ideology and blessed by his mother, Tarique Rahman has already extended a helping hand to many helpless citizens across the country.

He has also kept a close eye on the districts and upazilas where BNP has political conflicts. Tarique Rahman has given the most importance to why the renegade and grassroots leaders and activists are lagging behind.

In light of this, Trinomool leaders and activists from Tangail district, under Dhaka division, have sought Tarique Rahman's direct intervention against those responsible for the party's deplorable state due to the fragile politics and party conflicts of the BNP.

Sources reveal that Tangail District BNP has had no full-fledged committee for nearly three years. There is a deep disconnect between district leaders and grassroots activists, with factions fighting for dominance. The district BNP has no office for 18 years, and since August 5, neither the president nor the general secretary has taken any initiative to establish one.

Allegations of extortion, financial misappropriation, and protecting Awami League affiliates in exchange for money have surfaced against the two top leaders. These issues — along with favoritism, case trading, and neglect of long-serving grassroots activists — have pushed Tangail BNP to the brink of collapse. Other political forces, including Jamaat-e-Islami, are reportedly trying to exploit the situation.

Angry grassroots activists said that after the fall of fascist Hasina on August 5, local BNP workers had high hopes for change — hopes that quickly faded. Although Awami League’s top godfathers and local terrorists fled at night, their associates remained in control of various social, cultural, and institutional organizations in Tangail. Reports suggest that from the very night of August 5, the BNP’s district president and general secretary took steps to protect these Awami loyalists.

For the past 17 years, Tangail Awami League leaders have been involved in tender manipulation, land grabbing, extortion, nomination trading, and filing false cases against opposition figures. They also carried out shootings and attacks on student and public protests under the direction of the district Awami League’s General Secretary, Joaher Islam. One pro-Awami journalist, allegedly sheltered by the two BNP leaders, has been accused of helping cover up these crimes in exchange for large sums of money.

An intelligence report revealed that the names of Tangail BNP’s President Hasanuzzamil Shaheen and General Secretary Advocate Farhad Iqbal surfaced in the case of martyred school student Maruf, where Awami League leader Fazlur Rahman Khan Faruk, the district AL president, was reportedly excluded from the charge sheet in exchange for nearly three crore taka. The money was allegedly shared between four individuals — the BNP president, general secretary, a student coordinator, and the journalist.

BNP activists complain that after the fall of the fascist regime, instead of rebuilding the party, these two leaders became focused on illegal financial gain and property control, crushing the dreams of dedicated activists. Despite these grave allegations, they are reportedly seeking nominations for the upcoming national election, allegedly with backing from a senior BNP leader.

Rumors have spread that Tarique Rahman personally called and signaled his intention to nominate Farhad Iqbal, which has emboldened his supporters to hold nightly processions, causing severe traffic congestion and public suffering across the city. Locals are urging:

> “Those who are misusing Tarique Rahman’s name and tarnishing the party’s image should be investigated and held accountable through an impartial inquiry.”

 

The district BNP office, missing for 18 years, still has no progress toward reestablishment even after the fall of the fascist government. However, followers of the president and general secretary have reportedly opened modern offices in unions and wards, spending huge sums — funded by extortion under the guise of party work. Local business owners claim these men have outdone even the Awami League in corruption over the past year — a situation that could harm BNP’s performance in the next election while benefiting Jamaat-e-Islami.

Meanwhile, the arrival of BNP Central Publicity Secretary Sultan Salahuddin Tuku in Tangail after the fall of the regime has revived hope among deprived and long-serving activists. Tuku has been working tirelessly to reorganize the district unit, unite neglected leaders, and rebuild party morale. Through meetings and mass communication, he is presenting BNP’s 31-point “Repairing the State” program to the public. His dedication and leadership have begun restoring public confidence, with many believing he could play a vital role in building a terror-free, drug-free, and extortion-free Tangail if nominated in the upcoming election.

Party insiders report that the current president and general secretary were elected about 35 months ago, but still, no full-fledged committee exists — meaning only two men run the district BNP. The party’s central office in Tangail was lost during the 2007-08 military-backed caretaker government, and the organization has remained office-less since.

Former Acting District BNP President Shaidul Haque Chadu stated:

> “They created the committee to suit themselves, handpicked delegates, and held a so-called council to elect the president and secretary. They’ve done nothing for the party — only used its name for personal gain. There’s no connection between them and the grassroots. A party like BNP cannot operate this way.”

 

He demanded that a complete district committee be formed through a proper council before the next general election.

Several deprived leaders have accused top and local figures of abuse of power, corruption, and extortion since August 5. At least five activists have already been arrested on extortion charges. Some have been accused of protecting or recruiting Awami League collaborators, which could have a negative impact in the coming polls. The absence of a full committee has broken the chain of command in Tangail BNP.

When contacted, General Secretary Advocate Farhad Iqbal’s phone was answered by a colleague, who said he was in a meeting and then hung up. A message sent earlier to President Hasanuzzamil Shaheen’s WhatsApp also went unanswered.

In conclusion, since Tarique Rahman resides abroad, many of the party’s dedicated and grassroots leaders remain overlooked, while top figures are busy protecting their own interests. Tarique Rahman, known for his humility, politeness, and refined political ethics, stands as a true statesman. Therefore, to follow and emulate his example would be the most honorable and rightful path for every BNP leader.