19 BNP leaders expelled for participating in Barishal city polls

BNP has expelled 19 candidates, including independent mayoral candidate Kamral Ahsan Rupan, and 18 councillor candidates for life, due to their participation in the Barishal City Corporation election against party directives.

Bilkis Jahan Shirin, BNP organising secretary (Barishal Division), confirmed the expulsion in a letter signed by BNP Senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, which was sent to the candidates, reports our Barishal correspondent.

The letter stated that the candidates were served show-cause notices on June 2 for contesting in the BCC polls against the party's decision. However, their responses were deemed unsatisfactory, resulting in their expulsion.

The letter described the expelled candidates as dishonest and traitors.

According to the Barishal city unit of BNP, the expelled candidates include Kamrul Ahsan Rupon, a former central committee member of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, and councillor candidates Habibur Rahman, Shah Aminul Islam, and Harun-or-Rashid.

In response to his expulsion, Rupan questioned how he could be expelled from the BNP since he does not hold any party position.