If BNP wants me back, they must take my supporters too: Rumeen Farhana

Rumeen Farhana, the winning independent candidate from the Brahmanbaria-2 constituency, has said that if BNP wants to take her back into the party, they must also take in her supporters.

She made the remark during a press conference arranged at her residence in Brahmanbaria on Friday afternoon. She was present with her election symbol, the 'duck', on the occasion.

Contesting with the 'duck' symbol in this election, she received 1,18,547 votes. Her nearest rival, BNP alliance-backed candidate Junayed Al Habib, contesting with the 'date tree' symbol, received 80,434 votes.

At the press conference, Rumeen Farhana shared that since childhood she had a habit of rearing ducks, chickens and pigeons. Although she moved to city life for family reasons, returning to Brahmanbaria rekindled that hobby. She spends her leisure time with ducks and poultry. It was from this sentiment that she chose the 'duck' symbol.

Reacting to her victory, she said, "It was not easy to contest as an independent candidate after leaving BNP. My workers had a harder time than me."

She said, "For the past 17 years, they have made sacrifices and worked hard. Many could not stay at home, faced expulsion. If I hadn't won, perhaps I would have returned to Dhaka and joined my profession. But where would my workers go? How will I repay this debt of their love?"

She also alleged irregularities on polling day, claiming that attempts were made to rig votes at several centres after noon and to delay results. She mentioned personally going to Jaliapara centre to bring the situation under control.

Regarding implementing election promises, she said, "Not being a party candidate, I have no alternative but to work. If I have to contest elections again, work alone will be my strength."

It is to be noted that she was expelled from BNP on December 30. She was a member of the reserved women's seat in the 11th National Parliament and was the party's assistant international affairs secretary. Recently, 10 leaders from various levels in Sarail upazila were also expelled for working in favour of Rumeen Farhana and against the BNP alliance candidate.