Seven nomination seekers of the BNP from Sirajganj-3 constituency (Raiganj-Tarash) have warned that they will not accept any outsider candidate if nominated for the seat. They vowed to resist any decision to field a non-local nominee, demanding that only a dedicated, grassroots, and “persecuted” local leader be considered. The declaration came at a massive rally held on Friday (October 10) afternoon at Bhuiyagati Bus Stand in Raiganj upazila, organized to promote BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman’s 31-point state reform proposal. Presided over by former Ghurka Union BNP president Nazmul Huda, the rally was addressed by Sirajganj district BNP’s information and research affairs secretary, former Raiganj upazila BNP general secretary, ex-upazila chairman, and nomination aspirant VP Aynul Haque as the chief guest. In his speech, VP Aynul Haque said, “For the past 17 years, the people of Raiganj and Tarash have endured persecution, false cases, and imprisonment. If the party nominates any outsider instead of a popular and tested local leader, the people of Raiganj, Tarash, and Salanga will not accept it. We demand that the nomination go to a candidate who has stood by the people, suffered imprisonment, and remained loyal to the movement.” Other speakers included district BNP joint secretary and former Raiganj upazila convenor Barrister Abdul Baten, district BNP adviser Selim Jahangir, Germany-based expatriate BNP leader Sabbir Hossain, Professor Abdul Hakim, and Ruhi Afzal, among others.Before the rally began, BNP activists from different unions and wards of Raiganj, Salanga, and Tarash brought out processions demanding nomination for a local candidate under the party’s “sheaf of paddy” symbol. Thousands of BNP leaders and activists attended the gathering.
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