“The opposition has destroyed my stage; I am delivering my speech standing in the car.”

Barister Rumin Farhana, the recently expelled BNP leader and former Secretary for International Affairs of the party, delivered a strikingly candid address on Monday afternoon (5 January) in the Aruail market. Standing atop her own car after her campaign stage was destroyed, she told supporters:

“The opposition has destroyed the stage we had set up at Aruail College ground. Today, I was compelled to go door-to-door to reach you, and ultimately, I am forced to speak to you standing on my car.”

Rumin Farhana, who had been a hopeful for the BNP nomination in the Brahmanbaria-2 seat, was responding to the party’s decision to award the nomination to Allama Junayed Al Habib, vice-president of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Bangladesh, under the BNP alliance. Having been denied the official ticket, she is now contesting the seat as an independent candidate. Her candidature has been formally validated by the Returning Officer.

In her address, she passionately urged voters to deliver justice at the polls:

“On 12 February, you will provide a fitting response to this injustice. Insha’Allah, with your votes, if Allah wills, I shall be elected once again as your Member of Parliament. I promise to transform the roads, bridges, and infrastructure of these two upazilas.”

She also reminded constituents of her outspoken activism:

“There is nothing to fear from Rumin Farhana. Since 5 August, I have openly spoken against extortion, frivolous litigation, and harassment in all corners of Bangladesh. The truth does not always sit well; it is sweet when spoken from the opposition, bitter when it challenges the government. A year ago, I spoke about extortion, sand trade, land encroachment, and occupation of shops—back then, I was told such statements were unacceptable. Yet, I will continue to speak the truth, no matter what.”

Her defiance follows the BNP’s disciplinary action: Rumin Farhana and SN Tarun De were expelled from the party’s National Executive Committee on 30 December for defying the party’s decision and running as independent candidates.

Key Facts at a Glance

Barister Rumin Farhana’s dramatic gesture, speaking from atop her vehicle after her stage was destroyed, has captured significant public attention, highlighting tensions within the BNP and underscoring the intensity of the Brahmanbaria-2 contest.