Following the recent electoral defeat in the Kustia-3 constituency, Bangladesh’s Nationalist Party (BNP) is grappling with intensified internal conflict. On Friday evening, around 8:00 pm, tensions between two rival factions of the party escalated into a physical altercation outside the Kustia district BNP office in the Courtpara area. The confrontation reportedly involved the breaking of chairs, running and scuffling both inside and outside the office premises. Law enforcement intervened promptly to restore order.
The epicentre of the discord was BNP candidate Engineer Zakir Hossain Sarkar, who lost in the 13th parliamentary election. According to sources, the conflict arose from a longstanding rivalry between supporters of former Member of Parliament Principal Sohrab Uddin and those backing Zakir Hossain Sarkar. Sohrab Uddin’s supporters were reportedly dissatisfied after he was denied the party nomination, leading to allegations that their lack of active campaigning contributed to Sarkar’s defeat.
Eyewitnesses described chaotic scenes outside the party office. Several plastic chairs were smashed during the scuffle, and the sudden commotion caused panic among local residents. Police swiftly intervened, dispersing the agitated party workers and bringing the situation under control.
Kustia-3 Election Overview
| Division | Details |
|---|---|
| Constituency | Kustia-3 |
| Election | 13th National Parliamentary Election |
| BNP Candidate | Engineer Zakir Hossain Sarkar |
| Former MP | Principal Sohrab Uddin (Nomination Denied) |
| Result | BNP Defeated |
| Incident | Physical altercation, chair breaking, running |
| Date & Time | 13 February, 8:00 pm |
| Location | Courtpara, Kustia |
| Police Action | Situation brought under control |
The Officer-in-Charge of Kustia Model Police Station, Md. Kabir Hossain Matubbar, confirmed that the situation was quickly stabilised and that calm has now been fully restored.
Attempts to contact BNP leaders, including Convener Kutub Uddin and Secretary Zakir Hossain Sarkar, were unsuccessful, further highlighting the depth of the internal divisions. Political analysts note that the Kustia-3 outcome reflects not only voter preference but also internal party discord.
Experts warn that such factionalism could undermine local organisational activities and hamper preparations for future elections. The Kustia-3 incident clearly illustrates that party unity and strong leadership are essential; unchecked internal competition can disrupt political functioning and erode public confidence.
For BNP, the immediate challenge lies in reconciling the rival factions, restoring organisational cohesion, and strengthening the party’s strategy for forthcoming electoral contests. Failure to address these issues may weaken the party’s electoral prospects in both Kustia-3 and neighbouring constituencies.