Leaders and activists from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) are actively engaging in a campaign in Debidwar, Cumilla, to support the candidate of Gono Odhikar Parishad. Due to the BNP losing the rights to their traditional symbol, the sheaf of paddy, for the Cumilla-4 constituency, party members are now rallying behind the Gono Odhikar Parishad candidate as per the central party’s directive. Chhatra Dal General Secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir had previously announced the BNP’s alliance support for Jasim Uddin, the Gono Odhikar Parishad candidate running with the Truck symbol.
Following the disqualification of BNP’s candidate Manzurul Ahsan Munshi, local BNP leaders and activists have been instructed to campaign for Jasim Uddin and his Truck symbol. Campaign activities commenced yesterday in adherence to the party’s orders. In the same constituency, Hasnat Abdullah, the chief coordinator for the southern region of the National Citizen Party (NCP), is contesting with the Shapla Koli (water lily bud) symbol under the Jamaat-e-Islami-led 11-party alliance. Observers predict an easier path to victory for Abdullah with the absence of BNP in the race, although many voters view the Truck symbol candidate as his primary competitor.
FM Tarek Munshi, the Cumilla North District BNP Member Secretary, confirmed that the BNP has officially thrown its support behind Jasim Uddin. Campaigning activities included door-to-door visits by Hasnat Abdullah in Tebaria village and by Jasim Uddin, accompanied by FM Tarek Munshi, in Mashikara village. Abdullah emphasized during his campaign that election candidates with a history of embezzlement and loan defaults should be barred from running, highlighting his clean record. On the other hand, Jasim Uddin expressed confidence in BNP’s backing, stating that their continued support would lead to victory, and he is receiving positive feedback from voters.
Supporters of Manzurul Ahsan Munshi, whose candidacy was invalidated on loan default grounds after legal challenges from Hasnat Abdullah, are now firmly standing against Abdullah backed by the Jamaat alliance. The situation has escalated into a matter of pride for Munshi’s supporters as they oppose Abdullah’s campaign.