Video of opening Awami League office in Panchagarh goes viral

Controversy has erupted in political circles over the opening of an office of the banned Awami League in Chaklahat, Panchagarh. The incident occurred on Friday morning, February 13, in the Chaklahat Bazar area in the presence of Panchagarh Sadar Upazila BNP President Abu Daud Pradhan. A video of the matter has circulated on social media Facebook .

Abu Daud Pradhan, also a former chairman of Chaklahat Union Parishad, told the media that tensions were rising in the area due to the locked Awami League office. He said he had the lock opened to maintain peace. He claimed this was not a party decision but an initiative taken to preserve peace and order in the area. He further alleged that Jamaat activists had originally locked the office and they themselves later opened it, claiming propaganda was being spread about the matter .

In the approximately one minute 35-second video circulating on Facebook, Kamruzzaman (Bullet), Joint General Secretary of the union Awami League, is seen speaking in front of the office. Standing beside him are Abu Daud Pradhan, Awami League leader Abul Hossain and former Chhatra League leader Anisuzzaman (Swapon). At least 30 people were present in front .

In the video, Kamruzzaman states that BNP is on its way to forming a government and that Abu Daud Pradhan has "freed" the grassroots leaders and activists by opening the Awami League office lock. He expressed gratitude on behalf of Awami League for this .

Criticism began in various quarters after the video spread. Former Chhatra Dal and JASAS leader Yunus Sheikh of Panchagarh questioned who gave him the responsibility of "rehabilitating" the Awami League.