Tensions continue to rise within the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) following the announcement of candidates in 237 constituencies across the country. Internal disputes have now escalated into violent clashes in two districts — Gauripur in Mymensingh and Laksham in Cumilla — leaving at least 40 people injured, including several nomination aspirants. The incidents occurred separately on Sunday (November 9) — one in the morning in Laksham and another in the evening in Gauripur.
Bloody Clash in Gauripur Over Nomination Dispute
According to local correspondents, violent clashes erupted in Mymensingh-3 (Gauripur) constituency between two rival BNP factions over party nomination. The violence, marked by repeated attacks and counterattacks, left at least 20 people injured. Several businesses were also vandalized and looted, and a stage set up for a rally was destroyed.
Sources said that Engineer M. Iqbal Hossain, a member of the BNP National Executive Committee, has been nominated as the party’s candidate for the constituency. Supporters of Ahmed Tayebur Rahman Hiron, who was denied the nomination, were reportedly enraged. During a rally organized on the occasion of National Revolution and Solidarity Day, Hiron’s supporters allegedly attacked Iqbal’s followers.
In retaliation, supporters of Iqbal stormed a separate women’s rally organized by Hiron’s camp and carried out extensive vandalism, sparking a series of violent chases and counter-chases throughout the area.
Additional Superintendent of Police (Gauripur Circle) Debashish Karmakar said, “The situation is now under control, though tension remains high. Both the army and police are patrolling the area to maintain order.”
20 Injured in Laksham BNP Factional Clash
Earlier that morning, another violent clash broke out between two BNP groups in Laksham, Cumilla, injuring at least 20 people, including Samira Azim Dola, daughter of former MP Anwarul Azim and a nomination aspirant.
Eyewitnesses reported that Samira Azim Dola was conducting a pre-announced campaign in Chanagaon area under Cumilla-9 (Laksham–Monoharganj) constituency when supporters of Abul Kalam, the party’s officially nominated candidate and BNP’s Central Secretary for Industry Affairs, attacked her procession with homemade weapons.
A fierce chase and counter-chase followed between the two factions. Locals rushed the injured to Laksham Upazila Health Complex and nearby hospitals for treatment.
During the violence, a microbus and several motorcycles were vandalized. Police later arrived at the scene and brought the situation under control, but local sources said that tension continues to grip the area