Complaints Filed Against BNP Leaders in Party’s Own Suggestion Box in Kushtia

In an initiative aimed at promoting accountability within its ranks, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has recently installed a complaint box in Kushtia, encouraging citizens to report any misconduct by party members. On Wednesday (31 July), the box was opened in the presence of journalists at the Kushtia Press Club, revealing several serious allegations, including extortion and illegal occupation by BNP leaders.

The box was opened publicly around 2:00 PM, and the contents were read aloud by Zakir Hossain Sarkar, Member Secretary of Kushtia District BNP. Several prominent figures from the press club attended the event, including:

Background of the Initiative

The complaint box was set up on 21 July near the main entrance of the Kushtia Press Club by the district BNP, with the stated purpose of allowing the public to file written complaints anonymously against any BNP leader or activist involved in:

• Extortion
• Violence
• Drug trading
• Unethical practices under political influence

At the time, Zakir Hossain said:

“This initiative will serve as a platform to amplify the voices of ordinary people.
Anyone can submit specific allegations against BNP members from any upazila through this box.”

Summary of Complaints Received

Upon opening the box, four written complaints were found. Among them:

Details of the Complaints Against BNP Members

Complaint 1: Daily Extortion by BNP Leaders

One submission specifically accuses several BNP leaders of collecting daily extortion fees from a truck stand in Barabazar, Kushtia. The complaint details:

• Names of the involved leaders
• Exact amounts of money being extorted daily

Complaint 2: Illegal Club Occupation

Another complaint alleges that, after 5 August 2023, a local club was forcefully taken over by individuals claiming to be members of the BNP’s volunteer wing (Swechchhasebak Dal). Since then, local residents have reportedly been denied access to the club.

BNP's Response and Next Steps

Speaking on the matter, Zakir Hossain Sarkar stated:

“We have received four complaints, two of which are directly against our party members.
These will be investigated within two days, and necessary action will be taken.
The most encouraging sign is that the public has begun to voice their concerns — this is real progress.
Updates on investigations and follow-up actions will be shared with the media regularly.”

This marks a significant step in BNP’s self-monitoring and transparency initiative, especially ahead of national elections, where public trust and organisational discipline are under intense scrutiny.