BNP holds torch procession in Faridpur protesting A. K. Azad’s lies, demands his arrest

Photo: CNI

Faridpur Correspondent:

The BNP organized a torch procession in Faridpur protesting former MP and ex–vice president of Faridpur district Awami League A. K. Azad’s statements linking Chowdhury Nayab Yusuf, joint secretary of the BNP’s central women’s wing and a BNP nomination aspirant, to an attack on Azad’s motorcade.

The procession was held on Thursday night by BNP units from wards 6, 7, 8, and 9 of Faridpur city. Participants raised slogans against A. K. Azad and demanded his immediate arrest. Several hundred leaders and activists from the city BNP and its affiliated organizations participated.

The procession circled major city roads and concluded with a brief gathering before Mohim School. Faridpur city BNP convener AFM Kaiyum Zangi chaired the event. City BNP Secretary Golam Mostafa Miraz, Joint Convener and former councilor Mizanur Rahman Minal, City Jubo Dal General Secretary Rezaul Biswas Tarun, and other local BNP leaders delivered speeches.

Speakers strongly protested A. K. Azad’s “baseless” statements involving Chowdhury Nayab Yusuf and demanded the arrest of Azad and his associates from the Awami League. They also called on the public to participate in an anti-fascism rally at the Janata Bank intersection on November 1.

The incident occurred last Sunday when A. K. Azad held a public outreach event at Paramanandpur Bazar in Faridpur Sadar before the upcoming parliamentary election. Local BNP activists, campaigning for the 31-point manifesto announced by acting BNP chairman Tarique Rahman, were present and chanting slogans supporting Chowdhury Nayab Yusuf. When BNP activists began chanting against Azad, tensions escalated, and sugarcane pieces were thrown at a DB police vehicle and a car in Azad’s convoy.

Following the incident, Azad blamed Chowdhury Nayab Yusuf and Jubo Dal activists in the media for the attack. Since then, Faridpur’s political atmosphere has remained tense. In protest of what they describe as Azad’s false accusations, the BNP and Jubo Dal have conducted torch processions, demonstrations, press conferences, and other programs demanding his arrest. On Wednesday, students and youth groups issued a 24-hour ultimatum to the administration for Azad’s arrest.