No “Hasina-Style” Election Will Be Allowed in Chattogram Samity: Leaders Declare

Md. Kamal Uddin    |    ০৫:৫৭ পিএম, ২০২৫-১১-১২

On Monday, November 10, 2025, an extended meeting of the Chattogram Samity–Dhaka Convening Committee was held at the Bangladesh Shishu Kalyan Parishad building on Topkhana Road, Dhaka. The meeting was presided over by former student leader M.A. Hashem Raju, the convener of the committee, and conducted by Deputy Attorney General and former student leader Farid Uddin Khan, the member secretary.

As the chief guest, Supreme Court lawyer and convener of the Advisory Council of Chattogram Samity, Abdul Momen Chowdhury, said that for the last 17 years, the organization has been under the control of associates of “killer Hasina,” including former ministers Hasan Mahmud, Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Nowfel, Saifuzzaman Chowdhury Javed, businessman S. Alam, Biplob Barua, Giyas Khan, Mojammel Hiru, Rahul Barua, and Abdul Mabud, with their direct patronage of fascist and terrorist elements.

He alleged that Nasir Uddin, chairman of Chittagong Builders and Machinery Ltd, and Zainal Abedin Jamal, a director of Al-Arafah Islami Bank and Social Islami Bank, have embezzled hundreds of crores of taka in the name of loans to S. Alam Group and laundered the money to Dubai, Malaysia, Singapore, and Canada. After the August 5 public uprising that toppled “dictator Hasina,” Jamal has reportedly been trying to infiltrate Jamaat-e-Islami by changing political colors. Chowdhury urged everyone to remain alert and called upon the interim government to bring them under the rule of law immediately.

He further alleged that for over three decades, certain individuals linked to the fallen regime have unlawfully occupied Chattogram Samity–Dhaka and looted assets worth over Tk 100 crore without any legal approval. He dismissed the recently announced election as illegal and deceptive, intended only to confuse members and cover up financial irregularities. Chowdhury called upon all members to resist this “so-called election” and protect the institution’s dignity.

In his presidential speech, convener M.A. Hashem Raju stated that those who have tarnished the 113-year legacy of Chattogram Samity–Dhaka over the past two decades must be held accountable. “They have looted hundreds of crores over the last 17 years, depriving Chattogram residents of their rights. The time has come for resistance. Chattogram Samity is not the property of any fascist group—it belongs to the people of Chattogram. We will not remain silent. A peaceful but firm movement will be launched to bring the looters to justice,” he declared.

Member secretary Farid Uddin Khan said that a fair and acceptable election cannot be held using the current voter list, as around 2,000 voters are employees of Chittagong Builders, allegedly added to the list by their employers to maintain influence in the Samity. “They use Chattogram Samity as a business hub to gain favors from bureaucrats and government officials. Meanwhile, supporters of BNP, Jamaat, and Hefazat have been excluded from the voter list,” he said.

He demanded that a new, transparent voter list be prepared and that the election be held under a neutral system. “No more Hasina-style elections will be allowed in this country,” he concluded.

Other speakers included Mir Dost Mohammad Khan, Dr. Selina Akhter, Nasir Mizan, Mobinul Islam, Md. Nasir Uddin, Adv. Nazim Uddin, Shahjahan Montu, Manzur Morshem Mamun, Mufti Maulana Jasim Uddin, Engr. K.M. Imtiaz, and K.M. Akkas, among others.