In the 18 months since the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government, 18 political activists have been killed in Raozan in acts described as political revenge.
Almost all of the victims were BNP activists. The killings are linked to rivalry and attempts to assert dominance between supporters of 2 aspirants, Gias Kader Chowdhury and Golam Akbar Khondkar. Last month, an attack took place at a street meeting of Golam Akbar Khondkar, leaving Khondkar and 20 of his supporters seriously injured. In a press conference after the incident, Khondkar blamed his rival, Gias Kader, for the attack.
Following these bloody incidents, the BNP dissolved its Chattogram North district committee from the centre. When announcing its preliminary candidates, the BNP left the Raozan constituency vacant. Several central BNP leaders said the party is in a difficult position over this seat. They do not want to lose an important and almost assured constituency, but the rivalry between Gias Kader and Akbar Khondkar could cost them the seat. The high command is therefore looking for a dependable candidate who does not carry a label of violence.
In this context, Jasim Uddin Sikder, a former president of Chattogram North district Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal and current joint general secretary of its central committee, has come under wide discussion. He is described as coming from a BNP family and as a member of the family of the late influential party leader Abdullah Al Noman.
In 2018, despite repression, attacks, cases, and arrests, Jasim Sikder ran as the BNP candidate from Chattogram 6, Raozan. At a time of extreme political crisis, he took personal risks to contest the election, trying to preserve the party’s organisational presence in Raozan and keep its politics active. Although rank and file activists worked in unity for him, the report says victory was ultimately snatched away in what it describes as a farcical election. Raozan has since turned into a battlefield in the name of politics.
Amid this situation, Jasim Uddin Sikder is again being discussed as the BNP’s “candidate for times of crisis.” Many grassroots activists believe that to resolve internal disputes and secure victory for the party’s sheaf of paddy symbol, a clean, controversy free leader should be nominated so that everyone can work together under his leadership. They are therefore calling for Jasim Sikder to be given the nomination once again.
Jasim Uddin Sikder has already held discussions with party leaders and activists at different levels in Raozan. He told this correspondent, “There is strong interest in me among grassroots leaders and workers. Ordinary people do not want conflict within the party, and they do not want clashes and violence in the area. They want peace. That is why they want to see me as a candidate.” He added, “In 2018, even in a terrible situation, I became a candidate for the sake of the party. Even now, if the party needs me and people need me, I am ready to step onto the field.”
A local BNP leader said that during the 2018 national election, when severe repression by the then government meant no one from the BNP wanted to contest in Raozan, Md Jasim Uddin Sikder stepped forward on the party’s decision and took part in the election. The leader said that despite an atmosphere of fear, the threat of arrest, and the burden of cases, Sikder stood on the streets during the party’s crisis and helped keep BNP politics in Raozan alive for a long time. The leader added that if the party wants to overcome the current split in Raozan, it should nominate Jasim Sikder.
Amirul Islam, a resident of Noazishpur in Raozan, said daily disputes between the 2 BNP factions are creating fresh clashes and that ordinary people are living in fear. He described Sikder as mild mannered and socially approachable, saying people want him because he is not involved in those disputes.
Zahidul Haque, a senior figure from the Noapara area of Raozan, said politics does not mean fighting. He said Jasim Uddin Sikder protected the party through difficult times, and that a calm candidate like him would help restore stability in Raozan. He also said Sikder provided leadership to the party from an important position in Chattogram during times of crisis.
