Recent statements by Altaf Hossain Chowdhury, the designated BNP candidate for Patuakhali-1, have caused dissatisfaction among party officials in the district. A formal protest was lodged during a press conference at the party’s office in Patuakhali town today. Snehangshu Sarkar, the District BNP President, and Advocate Md Mojibur Rahman Toton, the General Secretary, spoke at the conference.
Toton, reading from a prepared document, expressed concern over Chowdhury’s “inappropriate and irresponsible” remarks directed at district leaders during a public gathering in Badarpur union on November 26. Allegedly, Chowdhury claimed that the district committee was “inactive” and mentioned a purported “Tk 100 crore election budget,” which the district BNP dismissed as baseless.
The district leaders refuted the allegations, highlighting ongoing campaigns in support of the BNP’s electoral symbol, the sheaf of paddy, across the three upazilas and multiple unions in Patuakhali-1, which had been covered in the media well before the nomination announcement.
Moreover, they accused Chowdhury of sidelining local leaders by organizing election activities solely from his residence since receiving the party nomination. They criticized the appointment of an individual, lacking any organizational role and recent party involvement, as the chief election coordinator without consulting the district committee, which has stirred discontent among dedicated party members.
Despite attempts to contact him, Altaf Hossain Chowdhury could not be reached for comment. However, BNP leader Maksud Ahmed Bayezid Panna, an associate of Chowdhury, indicated that a press briefing addressing these concerns is being prepared.