Abdus Sattar made persona non grata by BNP men

The leaders and activists of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its associate bodies have declared Abdus Sattar Bhuiyan, the former advisor to Khaleda Zia, persona non grata in Sarail and Ashuganj upazila, a day after he collected the nomination paper to contest the by-polls to Brahmanbaria-2 constituency.

Abdus Sattar was five-times former MP and state minister.

Sarail and Ashuganj upazila BNP leaders held a separate meeting and came up with this announcement this afternoon.

His son Mainul Hasan Tushar has also been declared persona non grata in Ashuganj.

Meanwhile, central BNP on Sunday night relieved him of all posts, including primary membership, for violating the party's decision amid the speculation he could contest the by-elections as an independent candidate.

Upazila unit BNP General Secretary Nuruzzaman Laskar Topu read out a written statement at a press conference organised at Sarail Press Club.

"Abdus Sattar Bhuiyan has been removed from all party posts for violating the party discipline. At the old age, he is now engaged in anti-party activities for gratifying his self-interest. That's why, we, all leaders and activists of BNP and its associate bodies, have rejected him hatefully. Along with that, we are declaring him persona non grata in Sarail," the statement said.

According to locals and the party, Abdus Sattar tendered his resignation letter to the party's chairperson office on Thursday night.

As a BNP candidate, he was elected lawmaker from Brahmanbaria-2 seat in the 11th parliamentary election. Then the veteran politician resigned from the parliament on 11 December, 2022, adhering to the party's decision.

The by-polls to the constituency will be held on 1 February. The party sources said Abdus Sattar was involved in BNP politics since its birth. He was elected parliamentarian five times and served as a state minister several times.