Roads Blocked, 30 Injured: BNP Nomination Clashes Disrupt Travel in 26 Districts

The internal dissent within the BNP (Bangladesh Nationalist Party) over its election nominee list has spilled into the public sphere, resulting in widespread transport disruption and violent clashes across the country.

Since the November 3 announcement, at least 38 protests and clashes have been reported across 26 districts. The demonstrations have involved activists blocking major roads and railway lines, impacting public travel and commerce.

The unrest has resulted in numerous injuries, with at least 30 party activists reported wounded in areas including Meherpur, Cumilla, and Mymensingh. The situation escalated tragically in Mymensingh\’s Gauripur upazila, where a local Chhatra Dal activist reportedly died of a heart attack during a clash between rival faction supporters.

Specific examples of the chaos include:

Satkhira: Protests continued for a fourth straight day, with activists blocking roads and observing a half-day strike to demand the replacement of the nominated candidate for Satkhira-3.

Chattogram: Supporters of one local leader blocked both the Dhaka-Chattogram Highway and the railway line at Sitakunda.

Gaibandha: Authorities were forced to impose Section 144 to prevent a scheduled confrontation between rival BNP factions led by the nominated candidate and a local leader.

Madaripur: Supporters marched on the Dhaka–Bhanga Expressway demanding the reinstatement of a suspended candidacy.

Political analyst Prof Mojibur Rahman of Dhaka University stressed that while internal disorder must be resolved within the party, the leadership must take a firmer stance to restore discipline, emphasizing that the infighting \”should not cause public suffering.\” The party has already begun a review of controversial nominations and issued stern warnings of strict action against continued defiance.