CHATMOHAR, PABNA, Jan 30: In Pabna-3 (Chatmohar-Bhangura-Faridpur), politics has taken a dramatic turn as three siblings stand divided over the BNP candidate. The party has nominated central Krishak Dal President, Agriculturist Hasan Zafir Tuhin, with the Paddy Sheaf symbol. But within one family, three brothers and sisters have taken three different paths.
They are the children of late BNP leader Haji Akkas Ali Master: eldest son Hasanul Islam Raja, younger son Md Hasadul Islam Hira, and daughter Advocate Arifa Sultana Ruma.
Raja, a social worker and Adviser to the BNP's cultural wing, was denied the BNP nomination. He later declared himself an independent candidate and is now contesting with the Truck symbol under Gono Odhikar Parishad. He had campaigned as a BNP aspirant since August 2024 but switched after Tuhin was nominated.
Hira, a former upazila chairman, mayor member, and expelled BNP leader, has long been active in central BNP movements. He faced multiple cases and imprisonment for his role in protests. His supporters demanded reconsideration of the nomination, staging torch processions with former MP KM Anwarul Islam. But BNP stuck with Tuhin. Hira has since aligned with rebel candidate KM Anwarul Islam, campaigning for him with the Horse symbol. Recently, he was expelled from BNP for violating party discipline.
Meanwhile, Ruma has remained loyal to the BNP nominee. A veteran of student politics since the 1990s, she was active in Eden College and Dhaka City BNP, facing jail in several cases filed by the Awami League (AL) government. Now a member of Dhaka South BNP's Convening Committee, she is leading Tuhin's campaign in Pabna-3. As convener of the Election Management Committee, she has mobilised women voters in rural areas, drawing positive response.
The split among the siblings has sparked wide reaction in local politics, exposing divisions within BNP in Chatmohar.
Besides the BNP nominee and independents, several other candidates are contesting in Pabna-3.
They include Jamaat's Maulana Ali Asgar (Scale), Jatiya Party's Mir Nadim Mohammad Dablul (Plough), Gono Forum's Sardar Asha Parvez (Rising Sun), Bangladesh Supreme Party's Mahbubur Rahman Joy Chowdhury (Eagle), and Islami Andolan Bangladesh's Abdul Khalek (Hand Fan).
The contest has thus become multi-layered, with family divisions adding to the already complex electoral battle.
