Manjurul Ahsan Munshi, a BNP leader who lost his candidacy in the Cumilla-4 (Debidwar) constituency, has been summoned by the Election Inquiry and Judicial Committee over allegations of threatening voters.
He was instructed to appear in person with a written statement by 2:30pm today to explain the allegations. The order was issued last night by Senior Civil Judge Tafrima Tabassum, who is in charge of the Election Inquiry and Judicial Committee for the Cumilla-4 constituency.
The Debidwar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) and Assistant Returning Officer submitted a written complaint to the committee, accusing Manjurul of threatening voters. Cumilla Additional District Magistrate Mohammad Jafar Sadiq Chowdhury confirmed the matter.
In a video circulating on social media, Manjurul was heard saying, "If BNP comes to power and you vote for another party, I will not spare any of you. If necessary, I will burn your houses to ashes."
However, denying the allegation, he told local journalists that he made the remarks out of personal frustration in front of close relatives in his own area. He claimed that the last part of his speech was deliberately edited and circulated with ill intent, and that a certain group was engaging in "dirty politics" by dragging him into controversy.
Earlier last night, a BNP press release said that Manjurul was expelled from the party for making statements that go against party policy and discipline.
It is worth noting that Manjurul Ahsan Munshi was the BNP candidate for the Cumilla-4 constituency. Legal complications arose over his candidacy due to loan default allegations, and following an Appellate Division order, his candidacy was cancelled. After the cancellation, BNP extended its support to Gono Odhikar Parishad candidate Md A Jasim Uddin in the constituency.
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