Dhaka, Bangladesh — National Citizen Party (NCP) candidate Nasiruddin Patwary has called for the expulsion of senior Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader Mirza Abbas, alleging that his associates were responsible for a violent incident during his campaign event. Patwary made the request at a press conference shortly after an altercation unfolded at Habibullah Bahar College.
The confrontation occurred while Patwary was attending a pitha festival at the college, where he claims that he was initially welcomed by students. However, he reported that a group of individuals identifying as former members of the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal confronted him and demanded money. He stated that they indicated Mirza Abbas was financially supporting their actions, a claim he firmly denied.
Patwary described the event as a premeditated attack, allegedly orchestrated by Abbas’ nephew, Aditya. He criticized Abbas, urging the BNP leadership to take decisive action against what he termed “elements of violence” within the party. “It’s time to choose between allowing these behaviors to persist or addressing them,” he said.
The incident escalated rapidly, according to Patwary. He recounted that as tensions rose, his supporters were hit with bricks and eggs, resulting in injuries that included one woman needing stitches on her head. Despite the presence of law enforcement, Patwary stated that police failed to prevent the violence, raising concerns about their effectiveness.
Patwary’s allegations extend beyond the incident itself, as he also expressed dissatisfaction with the Election Commission. He accused the body of not ensuring adequate security and failing to provide a fair environment for the upcoming elections scheduled for February 12.
Reflecting on the incident’s implications, Patwary invoked former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, suggesting she would have been embarrassed by the violence affiliated with party politics. Despite the attack, he insisted on continuing his campaign, vowing to advocate against issues such as terrorism, extortion, and corruption in Dhaka-8, regardless of the electoral outcome.
His remarks come amid intensifying political tensions in the lead-up to the elections, demonstrating the increasingly volatile landscape of Bangladeshi politics. As Patwary navigates the aftermath of this incident, his positions on accountability and party discipline highlight key issues that resonate with the electorate.