BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir announced 238 candidates in Dhaka on Monday afternoon. Former MP Amjad Hossain was nominated for the Meherpur-2 seat under the party’s symbol, the paddy sheaf. However, Javed Masud Milton, president of the district BNP and a hopeful for the nomination, was left out — triggering unrest among his supporters.
That night, Milton’s followers declared Amjad Hossain “unwanted” in the constituency and began protesting. The demonstrations soon escalated into widespread vandalism, which continued into Tuesday morning, accompanied by road blockades and arson.
Gangni Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) Anwar Hossain confirmed that police and army units were deployed to control the situation after party members, angry over the nomination decision, resorted to violence.
Local traders, including Sulaiman Sheikh from Gangni Bazaar, reported that more than a hundred shops were forced to close since Monday evening due to ongoing clashes and vandalism. Milton’s supporters blocked the Meherpur–Kushtia highway by burning tires and staging processions overnight.
On Tuesday morning, around 11 a.m., the protesters vandalized several hotels and shops in Gangni town and attacked the election office of BNP candidate Amjad Hossain. Witnesses said the attackers threw bricks and stones, damaged furniture, and set fire to materials in the streets.
Amjad Hossain’s supporters later confronted the demonstrators, resulting in a violent clash between the two groups. The situation calmed after Hossain arrived at the scene and urged his followers to maintain peace, while law enforcement took positions along the main roads.
Former Gangni Upazila BNP president Asaduzzaman Bablu defended the party’s decision, saying, “BNP made the right choice by nominating Amjad Hossain, who has sacrificed 16 years for the party. But the violent behavior by Milton’s supporters has severely tarnished the party’s image.”
In response, Javed Masud Milton said his supporters would continue their protests until the “illegal nomination” of Amjad Hossain was canceled.
Candidate Amjad Hossain urged party members to remain united, saying, “Differences among brothers can occur, but we must not let internal conflicts cause public suffering or give opportunities to third parties.” He added that within two days, “all BNP leaders and activists will come together and campaign for the rice-sheaf candidate.”
Gangni Police Station Officer-in-Charge Israil Hossain said police have taken a firm stance to control the situation. “A faction of the party blocked roads, carried out vandalism, and created public panic after being denied nomination. We are ensuring public safety and stability,” he said.
