Allegations have surfaced that fertilizer dealerships in Kishoreganj have been awarded to Jatiya Party leaders and Awami League-affiliated individuals through syndicates, irregularities, nepotism, and financial transactions. The approved list also includes the names of a reserved-seat female MP's niece-in-law, BNP leaders, and relatives.
Expressing sharp anger over this, Kishoreganj Upazila Jubo Dal Labor Affairs Secretary Enamul Haque highlighted the syndicate, nepotism, partisanship, and financial dealings in a Facebook live broadcast last Sunday. In the comment section of that video, various leaders, activists, and common people also strongly protested the fertilizer dealer appointments.
Kishoreganj Upazila Jubo Dal Labor Affairs Secretary Enamul said, "We will stage movements, take bullets, and stay away from home, fleeing without our wives for 12 years, and you gave dealerships to Jatiya Party and Awami League-affiliated individuals? Is this a lawless state (moger mulluk)?"
The Jubo Dal leader claimed that in the final approved list of fertilizer dealers, Habibur Traders, proprietor Ahsan Habib, in Borovita Union, was allegedly in the Awami League before August 5, according to market rumors. In Putimari, Messrs. Chhoad Traders, proprietor Jewel Rana, belongs to Bangladesh Awami League. In Nitai Union, Messrs. Jannat Traders, proprietor Roksana Afroze. She is the general secretary of the Upazila Mohila Dal, wife of Syedpur political district BNP co-organizing secretary Tarikul Islam, and niece-in-law of reserved seat female MP Bilkis Islam. In Bahagili Union, Jihad Traders, proprietor Zahidul Haque, holds a position in the Jatiya Party. In Chandkhana Union, Messrs. Sujan Enterprise, proprietor Bithi Akter, is the wife of Upazila BNP Organizing Secretary Ibne Said Sujan. In Kishoreganj Union, Messrs. A.K.M. Traders, proprietor Afsar Ali, is the father of Upazila BNP General Secretary A.K.M. Tajul Islam Dalim. In Ronchondi Union, Trade Link Promotion & Distribution, proprietor A.S.M. Rubayet Farman, is an undercover associate of Upazila BNP President Abdullah Al Mamun, and a man of the Jatiya Party and Awami League. In Garagram Union, Messrs. Momena Traders, proprietor Fazle Rabbi, regrettably campaigned for the Jatiya Party. In Magura Union, Bhai Bhai Traders, proprietor Enamul Haque, he noted, has been a Jatiya Party supporter since birth.
Addressing the dealership recipients, he said, "You do Jatiya Party, Awami League remains in power, you enjoy benefits then too; now BNP is coming to power and you reap benefits in exchange for money, while we were born from our mothers' wombs just to wage movements? I am an original soldier of Zia, I don't even get daily meals, yet you will do Awami League, do Jatiya Party, and also take benefits during BNP's time."
Addressing the Upazila BNP, he said, "The way you committed corruption like this—my complaint to the committee is, is this country a lawless state? There is Chatra Dal here, Jubo Dal here, Krishak Dal here, Tati Dal here—they have no allocation, don't they do BNP? You are killing devoted workers like us." He added, "Since we don't have cash or money, let alone getting a fertilizer dealer position, we didn't even get advice, and you didn't hold any meetings either. What is this, brother? You took [a dealership] under an organizational front, and General Secretary A.K.M. Tajul Islam Dalim, brother, you took it in your father's name. What did you imply by that—that you didn't take a fertilizer dealership? If you practice politics of self-interest, then tell Tarique Rahman that politics of self-interest is going on now. Why would Chatra Dal, Jubo Dal, Swechchhasebak Dal, Mohila Dal, and Krishak Dal be needed? Do these Chatra Dal, Jubo Dal, Mohila Dal, and Krishak Dal eat bananas? They don't do party politics, they didn't join the movement to oust Hasina? We, the dedicated ones, waged movements and struggles, faced torture, took bullets, faced cases, and fled leaving our wives behind." He further stated, "The way you formed a syndicate—over the last 17 years, I lost my mother, lost my father, and where did I keep my wife and children? Why didn't you consult with the union BNP and its affiliated organizations?" He added that by bypassing dedicated leaders and forming a syndicate, Jatiya Party and Awami League people were appointed as fertilizer dealers in exchange for money.
Levelling accusations, he said, "We have heard that Abdullah Al Mamun brother gave the fertilizer dealership of Ronchondi to Rubayet Farman in exchange for 25 lakh takas. Why was he given the fertilizer dealership? We are pained and angry about this. Mamun brother, you have betrayed grassroots BNP, union BNP, ward BNP, and affiliated organizations. A stern reply will be given for this."
Addressing the recipient of the Bahagili dealership, he said, "Zahidul brother, you do Jatiya Party—how much money did you take the dealership for from Mamun brother, Dalim brother, and Sujan? Zahidul brother, you have been a Jatiya Party supporter since birth, while I am a BNP supporter since birth, how did you get the fertilizer dealership? Is this country a lawless state?"
Meanwhile, after the publication of the list of dealers in Kishoreganj, a section of party leaders are whispering their dissatisfaction and anger regarding the appointment process, but are refraining from speaking out out of fear of losing their positions and missing out on nominations for chairman posts in the upcoming union parishad elections. However, many leaders remain vocal on Facebook. Former Upazila Jubo Dal General Secretary Nazrul Islam dulu expressed anger on Facebook, writing: "Who will formally nominate candidates for local government elections—the fertilizer dealers? Or their recommenders?" Kishoreganj Sadar Union BNP General Secretary Minarul Islam wrote: "I asked the Upazila BNP leaders many times to talk about the fertilizer dealerships, but they said, 'Take it however you can get it.' They won't sit with our Union BNP. The reason is they won't be able to extort money from us. They took money from Awami League and Jatiya Party people and gave them dealerships. Now they are calling us repeatedly."
Upon inquiry, it was found that the reserved MP's representative, nephew, and several local BNP leaders formed a syndicate and placed their favored individuals at the top of the district committee's list. Furthermore, rumors are rife that the syndicate recommended and secured dealerships for Jatiya Party leaders and family members of Awami League supporters through financial transactions.
Several traders, speaking on condition of anonymity, claimed that unqualified individuals were appointed as fertilizer dealers through a syndicate in exchange for money. They demanded the immediate cancellation of this dealer appointment list and a re-evaluation through a fair, neutral screening process.
Upazila Agriculture Officer and Member Secretary of the Upazila Fertilizer and Seed Monitoring Committee Lokman Alam stated that applicants applied to the Deputy Commissioner. When the district assigned the investigation responsibility to the upazila committee, they conducted an investigation and forwarded the list to the district.
Upazila BNP President Abdullah Al Mamun protested on Facebook, stating, "The allegation of taking money for fertilizer dealer appointments in my name is completely false, fabricated, and motivated."
— Daily Best News Desk • Fearless in the search for truth
Reported by Sabbir Hossain, Kishoreganj (Nilphamari) • Edited by the Daily Best News desk. Send corrections to [email protected].
