In a bizarre occurrence in Chapainawabganj, a border road was inaugurated twice on the exact same day. The road was inaugurated in the morning by the current Jamaat MP, and subsequently re-inaugurated in the afternoon by a former BNP MP, sparking severe criticism. Locals reported that the dual inaugurations stemmed from political rivalry. However, the LGED stated that neither of the events constituted an official inauguration.
According to sources, the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) initiated the construction work of a road from the Bakher Ali BOP camp to the Faridpur BOP camp in Charbagdanga union of Chapainawabganj Sadar upazila. The construction of the 3.55-kilometer road was estimated to cost Tk 39,440,531. Upon completion, the road will facilitate patrols by the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and enhance border surveillance, while also easing transportation for residents living near the Padma River border area.
Although construction had commenced several days prior, current Member of Parliament for Chapainawabganj-03 and Ameer of Dhaka South City Jamaat, Nurul Islam Bulbul, inaugurated the road construction work on Sunday morning (November 1). On the same afternoon, the road was re-inaugurated by former MP of this constituency, BNP Chairperson's Advisor, and District Council Administrator Harunur Rashed. During their respective morning and afternoon inauguration programs, both the current and former MPs were seen criticizing each other.
However, LGED officials stated that whether inaugurated by the current or former MP, neither event was an official inauguration. Furthermore, it was learned that construction work on the road had actually begun nearly two weeks prior to these events. While a banner bearing the name of the Local Government Engineering Department was present during MP Bulbul's morning inauguration, it was absent when former MP and BNP leader Harunur Rashed cut the ribbon in the afternoon. Nonetheless, LGED officials and contractors were present on both occasions.
When multiple attempts were made to contact Chapainawabganj-03 MP and Dhaka South City Jamaat Ameer Nurul Islam Bulbul over his mobile phone, he could not be reached immediately. However, speaking at a discussion meeting after his inauguration, he said, "If you (Harunur Rashed) wish to be present alongside me at the inauguration of any good work in Chapainawabganj, you are welcome. Because I want to move the district forward collectively through cooperation and empathy. Therefore, you are welcome to join me in any work I inaugurate; there is no problem. As the District Council Administrator, you handle allocations. As the advisor to the District Council, the MP has the responsibility to inquire about incoming allocations and how budgets are being and will be spent. This responsibility does not belong solely to me; it applies to all MPs across Bangladesh. Thus, your oversight is my duty, but looking into my works is not your job."
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He further stated, "All development works in the Chapainawabganj Sadar constituency over the next five years are the responsibility of the MP. Let the MP do what falls under their jurisdiction. I was elected with 62,619 more votes; this vast multitude of people gave me more support than you. How you secured your votes is known to the public. Who are you—whether a former MP, BNP leader, or whoever—to play with the rights of the people? I will resist you alongside the public. LGED work will take place, and you will inaugurate it? Who gave you this authority? The people did not."
When asked about the reason for inaugurating the same road twice, former Chapainawabganj-03 MP, BNP Chairperson's Advisor, and District Council Administrator Harunur Rashed said over the phone, "Ask MP Bulbul about this; only he can explain. I am the one who secured the allocations for these roads, and he goes and inaugurates them? Is it enough to just hang a banner and call it an inauguration? There is no need for such petty behavior. An MP must understand protocol. Given that I brought the allocation, I can certainly inspect or inaugurate it as a former MP and District Council Administrator."
Meanwhile, speaking at a post-inauguration discussion meeting, former MP Harunur Rashed stated, "I would tell our new MP (Nurul Islam Bulbul) that there are many unpaved roads, brother. Bring allocations and execute work; we want to see your capability to secure funds. People want more work and development to happen here, there is no problem. Speak very carefully; if you utter nonsense, the people will take appropriate action against you. I have never seen such a petty MP. I do not know if such a petty MP exists anywhere else in Bangladesh. This road was part of my electoral pledge, and I had significant cooperation in its implementation."
Road contractor Md. Selim Reza stated, "I was present during both the current and former MPs' inauguration events. We do not have much involvement in this. Even without inaugurations, when representatives of various government tiers visit for inspections, we have to be present. I was there in that capacity."
Executive Engineer Md. Harun Or Rashid of the Chapainawabganj District Office of the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) did not receive phone calls despite multiple attempts to contact him. However, Upazila LGED Engineer Md. Azharul Islam of Chapainawabganj Sadar stated, "The LGED did not formally inaugurate it. Had we done so, we would have installed a plaque, which was not done. Both the current and former MPs went to oversee the work. When representatives of various government tiers visit for inspection or oversight, we are present there." He added that the project's tenure is scheduled to conclude in December of this year.
— Daily Best News Desk • Fearless in the search for truth
Reported by Md. Tarek Rahman, Chapainawabganj Correspondent • Edited by the Daily Best News desk. Send corrections to [email protected].
