Highway blockade and protest in Satkhira

Tensions have flared in Satkhira’s political arena following the BNP’s announcement of its potential candidate list. Supporters of two local leaders, whose names were excluded, staged protests and road blockades demanding party nominations.

On Tuesday (November 4) morning around 10 a.m., BNP activists blocked the Satkhira-Kaliganj highway in the Nalta area and set tires on fire in protest.

Their demand was to nominate Dr. Md. Shahidul Alam, a member of the BNP’s National Executive Committee and a physician, as the party candidate for the Satkhira-3 (Kaliganj-Ashashuni) constituency.

Protesters chanted slogans such as “We want Dr. Shahidul as our candidate” and “The people’s candidate cannot be excluded.” The demonstration caused heavy traffic congestion on the highway. Considering public suffering, they briefly cleared the road but soon resumed their protest.

Local BNP sources reported that demonstrations were also held in Kaliganj and Nalta areas on Monday (November 3) night.

Notably, the BNP has named Kazi Alauddin, a member of the party’s central executive committee and known as a close associate within the party, as the probable candidate for this constituency.

A similar situation unfolded in the Satkhira-1 (Sadar-Debhata) constituency. On Monday (November 3) night, after 10 p.m., supporters of another nomination aspirant, Abdul Alim, set tires ablaze and blocked the Khulna-Satkhira highway at Binerpota Bypass. They continued their protest throughout the night.

Law enforcement personnel arrived at the scene and brought the situation under control. Later, with the intervention of local leaders, the protest was temporarily suspended until Tuesday afternoon.

At the protest gathering, BNP’s Labsa Union President Shafiqul Islam, Sadar Upazila leader Atiar Rahman, and District Volunteer Team Joint Convener Anarul Islam said that if the party ignores grassroots opinions and prioritizes expelled leaders, the movement will spread on a larger scale.

Khaborwala/TSN