Bridge Minister fails to join Jamaat MP's rally due to BNP protests

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Sheikh Rabiul Alam faced obstacles from local BNP leaders and activists while visiting the feasibility of the proposed bridge over the Lohalia River in Bauphal of Patuakhali.

He was blocked for about a quarter of an hour.

The minister went to inspect the feasibility of building a bridge at the Bogha Ferry Ghat area of ​​the Lohalia River between Dumki and Bauphal. On this occasion, Patuakhali-4 constituency MP and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami leader Dr. Shafiqul Islam Masud organized a public rally at Bauphal. At the same time, Patuakhali-1 constituency MP and BNP leader Altaf Hossain Chowdhury organized another public rally in Dumki Upazila on the other side of the river.

Locals said that when the bridge minister reached the Baufal end around noon and his motorcade wanted to go towards the stage of the public meeting, BNP leaders and activists protested and blocked the way. The protesters alleged that the picture of BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman was not placed on the banner of the meeting. At that time, tension spread between both sides when Jamaat leaders and activists welcomed the minister and shouted slogans in return.

Along with the district BNP leaders and activists, former Baufal MP Shahidul Alam Talukder, Upazila BNP convener Taslim Talukder and member secretary Apel Mahmud Firoz were present at the scene. Later, the bridge minister returned to the Dumki end by ferry and addressed the public meeting organized there.

In this regard, Upazila BNP convener Taslim Talukder and member secretary Apel Mahmud Firoz claimed, ‘The leaders, workers and supporters were angry because the banner at the Jamaat leaders' meeting venue did not have Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s picture.’

On the other hand, Upazila Jamaat secretary Md. Khalidul Islam said, since the Boga Bridge is a large development project, Jamaat did not want to present the issue in a party-like manner. Therefore, although the banner had the picture of the local MP and the bridge minister, no other political leader's photo was not used. He also alleged that BNP leaders and workers had obstructed the minister using this as an excuse.

Meanwhile, attempts were made to contact Dr. Shafiqul Islam Masud on his mobile phone several times to find out about the incident, but no response was received.

It is worth noting that during the Awami League government, an initiative was taken to build the 1,000-meter-long ninth Bangladesh-China Friendship Bridge over the Lohalia River. Although that activity was later suspended, a new initiative has been taken to implement the project, according to relevant sources.