Allegations over two illegally built markets on district council land in Chuknagar, Khulna, have divided local traders and spilled into local BNP politics. The report says the markets were constructed during the Awami League administration in violation of law, allegedly generating crores of taka. The dispute has involved public confrontations, an expulsion from the party and hostile exchanges on social media.

In separate memorandums to the Khulna-5 lawmaker and the divisional commissioner, the Chuknagar Bazar Traders Association said a roofed market was built after a dilapidated dak bungalow on 56 decimals of state khas land was demolished in 2020. It alleged that 88 allocation letters were issued, mostly to relatives, family members and shop employees linked to two individuals, while 126 shops were built. The memorandum said shops were being offered for Tk15 lakh to Tk25 lakh.

One group of traders wants all illegal structures removed, while another says it paid large bribes for shop allocations and would be ruined by demolition. District council administrator SM Monirul Hasan Bappi said a court case over the markets is pending and would resolve the matter. He also said he had moved to collect overdue rents and would not tolerate irregularities or breaches of party discipline.