Two local leaders from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in Tahirpur upazila of Sunamganj have resigned, citing allegations of extortion and the party’s failure to recognize the success of the July Movement and the importance of the ‘Yes’ vote in a recent referendum. The announcement was made on Monday afternoon at a press conference held at Latifa Conference Hall in Kazi Point, where former BNP general secretary Ruhul Amin and upazila labour wing president Ferdous Alam read out a jointly signed two-page statement explaining their decision.

At the event, Ferdous Alam accused the BNP of twisting the narrative of the July Movement and neglecting the referendum’s reform agenda. The leaders also alleged that the party leadership ignored dedicated workers, replaced loyal nominees in the Sunamganj-1 constituency, and failed to act against local leaders accused of extortion and unethical activities. They further claimed that some BNP leaders were collaborating with ruling party figures in destructive activities along the Jadukata River and collecting illegal tolls from river transport and border customs stations.

The resignations highlight growing internal dissent within the BNP’s local units in Sunamganj amid accusations of corruption and leadership disputes.