Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) reserved-seat MP Ferdousi Ahmed Misty has reportedly been instructed to resign following the attack, looting and vandalism at the Radda MCH-FP health centre in Mirpur, Dhaka. People familiar with the matter said she could submit her resignation to Jatiya Sangsad Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed at any time.
A senior source at the Prime Minister’s Office confirmed the development. According to the source, Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman instructed Ferdousi to resign on Wednesday night. She was also told that failure to step down promptly could lead to stronger disciplinary action by the party. Further action concerning her parliamentary position may also be considered after her resignation, the source said.
The incident at the Radda health centre has drawn close attention from both the government and the BNP leadership. Government and party sources said the Prime Minister had been gathering information about the incident for the past two days, including details about those involved in the attack, their political affiliations and the people who may have played a role behind the scenes.
Sources familiar with the investigation have also claimed that several people known to be close to Ferdousi Ahmed were linked to the incident. These claims, however, remain subject to the findings of the ongoing investigation.
Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said on Wednesday that an investigation was under way into the role of the BNP MP in the demolition of the Radda health centre. Speaking to journalists, he said the investigation was being conducted impartially and that anyone found to have been involved would face action.
A senior government source said the authorities intended to take firm action against anyone named in the investigation, regardless of their political identity.
A source at the BNP’s policy-making level told Prothom Alo that the reported involvement of party activists in allegations surrounding the demolition of a healthcare facility, looting and an attempt to occupy the land had created an uncomfortable situation for the party. Questions about Ferdousi Ahmed’s role and political responsibility have also emerged after information surfaced about the alleged involvement of people regarded as close to her.
The source said the party could take a firm decision regarding the MP depending on the findings of the investigation.
Names of people close to the MP emerge
An investigation by Prothom Alo found information indicating that several people associated with local BNP politics may have played roles in the events surrounding the attack and vandalism at the Radda health centre.
Among those named are Mohammad Hanif Mia, a former member of Dhaka North BNP, and Mostafa Jaglul Pasha, a former general secretary of Dhaka North Jubo Dal. According to people familiar with local politics, both men are regarded in the area as close to Ferdousi Ahmed.
The activities of the Like-Minded Shopkeepers Cooperative Society Limited have also come under scrutiny following the demolition of the Radda centre. Information cited in the report suggests that several people associated with local BNP politics have links to the cooperative.
Ferdousi Ahmed served as president of the cooperative in 2006, when she was a commissioner of Ward 8 under Shah Ali Police Station. At the time, an application was submitted to the housing and public works authorities seeking allocation of the land occupied by the Radda centre in the name of the cooperative. The application reportedly bore Ferdousi Ahmed’s signature as its president.
The allegations surrounding the Radda centre have therefore raised questions on several fronts, including the identities of those involved in the attack, their political connections and the circumstances surrounding the land and the cooperative society.
The investigation will be central to determining whether the allegations against individuals named in connection with the incident are substantiated. It will also determine what legal or organisational measures may follow.
For now, the reported instruction for Ferdousi Ahmed to resign marks a significant development in the political fallout from the Radda health centre incident. Any formal resignation, party disciplinary action or further measures against those accused are expected to depend on the findings of the investigation.
