Local sources said that on Monday (July 20), the new committee of Ramkhana Union BNP was published with the signatures of upazila BNP convener Professor Golam Rasul Raja and member secretary Mokhlesur Rahman. In it, the name of the late Afaz Uddin, a resident of Nakharganj area of Ward No. 8 of Ramkhana Union, was included as member number 18.
Local activists claimed that Afaz Uddin was a former vice president of the union BNP. He died on February 14 this year. Although BNP activists from upazila and union levels participated in his funeral prayers, anger spread as his name was included in the committee published almost five months later.
Allegations have been raised that not only the name of the deceased, but also the names of several individuals linked to Jamaat-e-Islami and the banned Awami League activities were included in the committee. Additionally, local activists alleged that people who had not been active in BNP politics for a long time were also given various positions.
The matter was first brought to light by Abdul Mannan, joint convener of the union Juba Dal. He published a photo of visiting the grave of Afaz Uddin on social media and claimed that after his death, upazila BNP leaders had visited the grave and offered prayers.
Afaz Uddin's wife, Monowara Begum, said her husband died almost five months ago, and the day after his death, BNP leaders came to their home, visited the grave, and offered prayers.
Regarding this matter, multiple attempts were made to contact upazila BNP convener Professor Golam Rasul Raja, but his comments could not be obtained. It was also not possible to contact the convener of the newly formed committee, Sabur Uddin. Member secretary Hashem Ali cited being busy and hung up the phone.
However, Kurigram district BNP senior joint convener Professor Shafiqul Islam Babu said, if the name of the late Afaz Uddin has been included in the committee, it is undesirable. He said instructions will be given to verify the matter and make necessary corrections.