BNP Leaders’ Public Spat: ‘I’m a Major General in Politics, You’re a Child

A heated public altercation between two central leaders of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) over nomination and popularity has stirred controversy in Nangalkot, Cumilla. A video of the incident has gone viral on social media, sparking widespread criticism. The episode has caused confusion and frustration among the party’s grassroots leaders and activists.

At the center of the controversy is Mobashwer Alam Bhuiyan, a member of BNP’s National Executive Committee. During a speech at an event marking the party’s 47th founding anniversary in Nangalkot, Cumilla, he targeted another central leader, saying, “Four or five days ago, a rude person’s child claimed that Mobashwer Alam has no votes in Nangalkot. He must have attended an Awami League meeting. You rude fellow, how can you identify BNP people?”

Mobashwer further stated, “I’m a Major General in politics, and you’re a child. Whether I get the nomination or not, I don’t care. But if you behave so rudely, I’ll slap you on the ears and cheeks.” Conversations with party activists revealed that Mobashwer Alam Bhuiyan is a prospective BNP candidate for the Cumilla-10 (Nangalkot and Lalmai) constituency. His remarks are believed to be directed at Zakaria Taher Sumon, the employment affairs secretary of BNP’s central committee and convener of Cumilla district BNP. Recently, Sumon reportedly said that Mobashwer has no support base in Nangalkot, prompting Mobashwer’s reaction, according to local leaders. Multiple grassroots activists stated that such derogatory remarks against each other are creating a crisis of unity and trust within the party. A leader, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, “The language of the speech should have been more refined. The general public has not taken it well.” Nangalkot Upazila BNP Convener Nazir Ahmed commented, “Such remarks are embarrassing for BNP. It’s incomprehensible how a nomination aspirant can use such language. This is negatively impacting the party’s image.” When contacted about his statement, Mobashwer Alam Bhuiyan said, “Someone made derogatory remarks about me. If he has written my political ACR (performance report), I’ll still say I’ll slap him. I’m a Major General in politics, and he should keep that in mind before speaking about me.” In response, Zakaria Taher Sumon said, “I didn’t make any comments about him. If I did, let him provide proof. He said he’s a Major General in politics—then he must be very powerful.” BNP’s National Executive Committee Co-Organizing Secretary Mostak Miah remarked, “Decency is crucial in politics. I don’t know who said what against whom, but such statements are unfortunate and damaging to the party’s image.”