‘With administration’s patronage, industrialist AK Azad working to rehabilitate Awami fascists

Bangla Press Desk: Chowdhury Nayab Yusuf, BNP women wing’s joint general secretary, has drawn much attention ahead of the general elections for being an aspirant party candidate for the Faridpur-3 parliamentary seat.

Recently, following the directive of the party’s Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, she has relinquished her responsibilities in the metropolitan area to focus entirely on Faridpur. In her words, “To work more closely with the people — that’s why I’m now working while staying beside the locals.”

She has alleged that AK Azad, an adviser at Awami League’s Faridpur district unit, is working with administrative support to conduct political activities. Faridpur is perhaps the only district in the country where members of fascist Awami League party are doing politics openly, thanks to administrative support.

She blamed the home ministry for facilitating government support for AK Azad and urged the government to look into the matter. AK Azad is compromising the neutral election environment in Faridpur by investing huge amount of illegal money, Nayab Yusuf has alleged in a recent interview.

It is unacceptable that a leader of a banned organization is engaging in open politics and even hinting at contesting in the election, she has said.

Nayab Yusuf said it is unacceptable for a leader of a banned organization to engage in open politics or hint at contesting elections. She added that if the Awami League is truly banned for crimes against humanity, it will be interesting to see from which platform AK Azad contests the polls. “The government cannot talk about a ban and at the same time allow its own leaders to contest — people will reject such double standards,” she warned, saying Faridpur’s people will respond to this contradiction.

Speaking about her political focus, Nayab Yusuf said she has stepped away from metropolitan duties to work directly with the people of Faridpur. She emphasized re-engaging the youth in politics, as years of unfair elections have made them disillusioned. Education, sports, and positive thinking, she said, can inspire them again.

BNP sources suggest she may be nominated for Faridpur-3, though she remains cautious, noting that Tarique Rahman has only instructed her to stay active in the area — which she takes as a positive sign.

Coming from a long political lineage, Nayab Yusuf highlighted her grandfather, Yusuf Ali Chowdhury, a respected leader and philanthropist who built schools, hospitals, and hostels for rural students, and her father, Chowdhury Kamal Ibne Yusuf, a five-time MP deeply loved by the people. She said the family’s legacy and the public’s trust remain the BNP’s biggest strength in Faridpur.

Discussing development priorities, she pledged to focus on road connectivity, education, healthcare, and infrastructure in the char (river island) areas. Her plans include establishing a university, improving healthcare services, and upgrading local roads. She also proposed a military cantonment, city corporation status for Faridpur Sadar, and a second Padma Bridge on the Goalanda-Daulatdia route if the BNP returns to power.

On women’s leadership, Nayab Yusuf said she has proven that women can lead effectively from the front. Having faced jail, cases, and attacks, she remains active in grassroots programs — holding yard meetings, women’s gatherings, and agricultural workshops. She runs training for women, promotes small businesses, and offers online medical consultations for Tk100.

Looking ahead, she said her goal is to fulfill her father’s unfinished dreams — to make Faridpur a peaceful, inclusive city where everyone has equal rights. “Development is not just the government’s job — it’s the people’s responsibility too,” she said.

Confident about the upcoming election, Nayab Yusuf concluded, “This time, the people of Faridpur will choose wisely — they will vote for democracy, justice, and genuine public service.”

BP/SP