BNP May Take Tough Action Against Reserved Women’s MP Over Radda Incident
Ferdousi Ahmed said she had not received any instruction to resign and had heard nothing about such a decision.
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) may take disciplinary action against reserved women’s seat MP Ferdousi Ahmed, popularly known as Misti, over the alleged attack, looting and vandalism at the Radda MCH-FP Centre in Mirpur, Dhaka.
Senior party leaders are reportedly discussing the possibility of asking her to resign from Parliament. However, no final decision has yet been made, according to four sources familiar with the matter, including two senior BNP sources and officials associated with the government and party.
According to the sources, the government is also taking a firm position on the Radda incident. The prime minister has been gathering information about the incident for the past two days, including who was involved in the attack and vandalism, their political affiliations and who may have played a role behind the scenes.
Sources familiar with the investigation said information had also emerged indicating the involvement of several people known to be close to Ferdousi Ahmed.
Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said on Wednesday that an investigation was under way into the BNP MP in connection with the destruction of the Radda health centre. He told journalists that an impartial investigation was being conducted and that no one would be spared if their involvement was established.
A senior government source said the authorities were in favour of taking strong action against anyone whose name emerges in the investigation.
Possible political consequences
A source at the BNP’s policymaking level told that the party’s top leadership was treating the Radda incident seriously.
The government is reportedly under pressure because names of BNP leaders and activists have emerged in connection with allegations involving the destruction of a healthcare facility, looting and an attempt to occupy the land.
After information emerged about the alleged involvement of people known to be close to Ferdousi Ahmed, questions have also been raised about her role and political responsibility.
The source said the party could take a strong decision regarding the MP based on the findings of the investigation.
Names of people close to the MP
A investigation found information suggesting that several people linked to local BNP politics may have played a role in the attack and vandalism at the Radda health centre.
Among them are Mohammad Hanif Mia, a former member of the Dhaka North City BNP, and Mostafa Jaglul Pasha, a former member-secretary of the Dhaka North City Jubo Dal. Sources said both are known locally as close associates of Ferdousi Ahmed.
Several people associated with local BNP politics are also reportedly linked to the activities of the Sammana Dokandar Samabaya Samiti Limited, which came under scrutiny following the demolition of the Radda centre.
Ferdousi Ahmed served as president of the cooperative in 2006, when she was a commissioner of Ward 8 under Shah Ali police station. At the time, she signed an application submitted to the Housing and Public Works authorities seeking allocation of the land occupied by the Radda centre in the name of the cooperative.
However, after the health centre was demolished shortly after midnight on 24 September, Ferdousi Ahmed told that she no longer had any involvement with the cooperative. She also denied allegations that she was involved in the attack and vandalism at Radda.
Three committees dissolved, 14 expelled in one day
Amid the controversy surrounding the Radda incident, the committees of the Dhaka North City BNP, Dhaka North City Jubo Dal and Dhaka West City Chhatra Dal were dissolved on Wednesday night.
The same day, 14 members of the BNP and its affiliated organisations were expelled at various levels.
However, the official notices announcing the organisational decisions did not directly link them to the Radda incident.
A BNP statement said Shah Ali Thana BNP joint convenor Khalil Chowdhury, C-Block Unit BNP general secretary Anwar Hossain and Dhaka North City BNP member Hafizur Rahman Shukku had been expelled. They were accused of “unethical activities and activities contrary to the organisation”.
Five members of Chhatra Dal, two members of Swechchhasebak Dal and four members of Sramik Dal were also expelled on the same day.
The notice did not give a reason for dissolving the 51-member convening committee of the Dhaka North City BNP. In the cases of the Jubo Dal and Chhatra Dal committees, the notices said their terms had expired.
Government takes a firm stance
The government’s position on the Radda incident has also become increasingly clear in recent days.
On Tuesday, Prime Minister’s Information and Broadcasting Adviser Zahed Ur Rahman told a press conference that the government was saddened and embarrassed by the attack and vandalism at the Radda health centre. He said anyone found to have been involved in the incident would be brought to justice.
The following day, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed told reporters at the Secretariat that the local MP was also under investigation.
Earlier, Shah Ali police station officer-in-charge Jahangir Alam was withdrawn from his post following allegations of negligence in connection with the incident.
Mahdi Amin, spokesperson and adviser to the Prime Minister’s Office, also said at a press conference on Wednesday afternoon that there would be no political concessions, regardless of who was responsible.
“The Home Ministry is working on the matter and has information,” he said, adding that the government wanted to ensure a fair legal process.