A political dispute within the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) escalated into public demonstrations and a road blockade in Hathazari, Chattogram, on Friday afternoon. Supporters of party adviser S.M. Fazlul Haque demanded that he be nominated as the party candidate for the Chattogram-5 constituency, challenging the official selection of Mir Mohammad Helal.
The protest occurred along the Oxygen–Khagrachhari road, with Chowdhurihat and Sarkarhat being the primary sites of disruption. Police and eyewitness reports indicate that activists from northern parts of Hathazari were prevented from joining the rally at Fateyabad School, prompting supporters to stage a sit-in on the road. Traffic was blocked for approximately one hour, inconveniencing commuters and local residents.
The rally was presided over by former Hathazari Upazila BNP general secretary Mahbubul Alam Chowdhury. Key speakers included prominent party figures such as Ilias Ali, Mirza Shahidullah Babul, Jaker Hossain and others. They praised S.M. Fazlul Haque for his long-standing support of party workers and demanded his nomination.
Tensions flared as supporters of Mir Helal allegedly obstructed the movement of rival activists, resulting in damage to eight vehicles and injuries to more than a hundred people. Helal refuted all allegations, insisting his team acted lawfully. The Additional Superintendent of Police (Hathazari Circle), Kazi Md. Tarek Aziz, confirmed that the blockade was removed and normal traffic resumed within an hour.
Political analysts note that candidate selection disputes like this can exacerbate internal divisions, provoke public unrest, and affect voter confidence. The Hathazari incident reflects deeper rifts within the BNP, signalling potential challenges in maintaining party cohesion ahead of elections.