Controversy has erupted in the Manikganj-3 constituency after Ataur Rahman, a senior BNP leader and member of the district BNP convening committee, alleged that he was subjected to intimidation following the announcement of his independent candidacy. Rahman submitted a formal written complaint to the District Returning Officer on Sunday evening.
According to the complaint and local sources, a nomination verification session took place yesterday afternoon in the conference hall of the Manikganj Deputy Commissioner’s office. During the session, the District Returning Officer, along with District Commissioner Najmun Ara Sultana, declared Ataur Rahman’s nomination invalid. At the same time, the official BNP candidate, Afroza Khanam, had her nomination validated.
Immediately following the announcement, Ataur Rahman raised objections, citing pending legal cases against Afroza Khanam and issues related to gas bills as grounds for contesting the validation. After a tense deliberation, the Returning Officer, along with most candidates and their supporters, exited the conference hall.
Key Details of the Nomination Verification
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Deputy Commissioner’s Office, Manikganj |
| Date & Time | Sunday, afternoon |
| Independent Candidate | Ataur Rahman (BNP District Convening Committee member) |
| Official BNP Candidate | Afroza Khanam |
| Nomination Outcome | Ataur Rahman – invalid; Afroza Khanam – valid |
| Main Objections Raised | Legal cases against Afroza Khanam, gas bill issues |
| Officials Present | District Returning Officer, District Commissioner, other candidates & supporters |
The complaint alleges that as Rahman was leaving the hall, he was physically pushed and urged to exit by Nasir Uddin, convenor of Manikganj municipal BNP, Arif Hossain, member of the BNP district convening committee, and Sohel Rana, secretary of Shibaloy Upazila Jubo Dal.
Speaking on the matter, Ataur Rahman emphasised the need for strict adherence to electoral laws, warning that without proper action, the situation could escalate, potentially leading to larger confrontations among party activists.
However, Nasir Uddin refuted the allegations, claiming that Rahman had exerted pressure on officials, including senior representatives of the Rural Electrification Board and Titas Gas, to lodge complaints against Afroza Khanam. He also alleged that Rahman made derogatory remarks about the BNP candidate, prompting attendees to ask him to leave the hall.
Sohel Rana echoed this position, stating that no intimidation occurred; Rahman was simply asked to depart due to his inappropriate comments.
District Returning Officer and District Commissioner Najmun Ara Sultana confirmed receipt of Rahman’s written complaint, noting that it had been forwarded to the Electoral Monitoring Committee, which is expected to review the matter and take necessary action.