Jhenaidah district BNP has declared Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Mufti Amir Hamza unwelcome in the district. The announcement was made by district BNP organizing secretary Sajedur Rahman Pappu through a social media post on January 17, 2026. Pappu stated that Hamza would remain unwelcome in Jhenaidah until he withdraws his controversial remarks about the late Arafat Rahman Koko. The post quickly went viral, drawing supportive comments from BNP leaders and activists.

Pappu explained that Arafat Rahman Koko was the son of late President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, and that making distorted or indecent comments about a deceased person was against Islamic values. He added that Hamza would not be allowed to enter Jhenaidah until he retracts his statement. Amir Hamza, who frequently speaks at religious gatherings across six upazilas of Jhenaidah, responded by saying the speech in question was from 2023 and expressed regret in a Facebook video message.

The dispute has drawn attention in local political circles, particularly as Hamza is contesting from Kushtia-3 constituency under Jamaat-e-Islami.