More than 50 leaders and activists of Shariapur Awami League led by Zain Alam Khokon Madbar, the organising secretary of the banned Awami League upazila unit and former chairman of the union, on Friday joined the BNP.
They joined the BNP during a mass meeting held by Mia Nuruddin Ahmed, the BNP's nominated candidate for the Shariatpur-3 constituency and Tarique Rahman's personal secretary, in the Taltala area of Shidhalkura union in Damudya upazila.
When Apu reached Khokon Madbar's house in the Taltala area, he greeted him with flowers. At that time, Khokon announced that he was joining the BNP.
Later, Apu formally welcomed him to the party by garlanding him. Then the workers present also garlanded him and showed their support for the BNP. After this, political tension quickly spread in the area.
Zain Alam Khokon Madbar said, "I have spent a very long time in politics, carrying out many responsibilities for the Awami League.
But I will never forget how former MP Nahim Razzak politically damaged and devalued me. Especially in the 2018 national election, I did not work for the boat candidate after that, I was purposefully removed from the party."
He also said, "Today, Apu Bhai came to my house, and the respect he gave me I will remember it for the rest of my life. I am joining the BNP with more than fifty workers holding his hand."
"I will never let this garland of respect be wasted. Once this area was a boat base; now my political goal is to turn it into a fortress of rice sheaves."
On the other hand, Apu thanked Khokon Madbar and the leaders and activists who came with him, and he promised to stand by them. He said, "We are all one family, regardless of party or opinion. Forgetting hatred and anger, we will build a prosperous and developed Shariatpur together with everyone in this family."
