Mishti's resignation puts MPs, ministers on alert

Ferdousi Ahmed Mishti was a joint convener of Dhaka Metropolitan North BNP. She had an even larger profile as a Member of Parliament, having become an MP for a reserved seat under the ruling party's nomination. However, taking action against her amid criticism over an attempted takeover of a healthcare center is being taken positively within the party. The party hopes grassroots leaders and activists will become cautious following this incident. Nevertheless, many ministers and MPs were surprised by the forced resignation of Mishti from Parliament post and the dissolution of the party committee, while simultaneously becoming more cautious themselves.

Some government officials said that this serves as a warning for ministers and MPs as well. The Prime Minister will not spare even ministers or MPs if they engage in activities that tarnish the government's image. Therefore, everyone must work to support the head of government by embodying public expectations. At the same time, the government hopes that taking action against Mishti will deter BNP leaders and activists from engaging in any form of irregularities or misdeeds. Taking a lesson from this, they are expected to strictly adhere to party directives to normalize the country's law and order situation and maintain party discipline.

Agamir Somoy spoke with four to five MPs from the ruling party regarding this matter. They believe this is not merely an action against Mishti, but a strict message from the Prime Minister to party leaders and activists at all levels, as well as an advance warning for MPs and ministers.

When asked, Rashed Khan, Political Assistant to the Prime Minister and BNP leader, told Agamir Somoy, "A major example of the Prime Minister's desire to run the state with transparency and accountability is the action taken against resigned MP Ferdousi Ahmed Misti. The head of government will take action against anyone assisting in state governance who fails to support her or attempts to damage the government's image—regardless of who they are—as we have already witnessed."

In response to a question, he added, "There are directives for all ministers, advisors, and MPs to cooperate with the Prime Minister in governing the state transparently. Therefore, if anyone in the party or government embarrasses the government by engaging in such activities, the Prime Minister will show no leniency. He is working to implement his action plan according to the promised election manifesto for the welfare of the country and its people. He will take whatever decisions are necessary here. In this context, the MP Mishti incident is a warning for all of us, including all ministers and MPs."

Recently, allegations have surfaced regarding the involvement of ruling BNP leaders and activists in various misdeeds across different parts of the country. Until now, the party had been taking isolated measures in response. Among these, a notable event was the September 24 attack, looting, and vandalism at the Radda MCH-FP Health Center in Mirpur, Dhaka. After allegations of ruling party leaders' involvement came to light, the top leadership took a firmer stance. Following preliminary investigations that confirmed the truth of the allegations, BNP Chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman took immediate steps. Notable among these were the Prime Minister's strict directive ordering Mishti, an MP from the party's reserved seat, to resign, along with the dissolution of the Dhaka Metropolitan North BNP committee.

BNP leaders said that the dissolution of committees of three organizations in the metropolis, including Dhaka Metropolitan North BNP, and the directive for a sitting MP to resign serve as a vivid demonstration of how strict Prime Minister Tarique Rahman can be to preserve the government's image and maintain party discipline. Through this, he has sent a message across the country that misdeeds will not be tolerated. An offender will be treated as an offender, regardless of party identity.
Fazle Huda Babul, BNP-Nominated Member of Parliament for the Naogaon-3 Constituency, said: "Mishti's name came up in the Radda Health Center incident in Mirpur, though she has not yet been proven guilty through any trial or investigation as an offender; nevertheless, immediate action was taken against her. In other words, BNP is the kind of party that takes swift organizational action whenever an allegation arises against someone, and that is precisely what happened in Mishti's case."

He added, "Through this, the Prime Minister wanted to convey the message that she intends to establish the rule of law in the country. Therefore, action will be taken against anyone who violates party discipline or engages in unlawful activities, regardless of their party position or title. Furthermore, this is not unique to the current BNP Chairman and Prime Minister; the Bangladesh Nationalist Party has never tolerated misdeeds. When 'Operation Clean Heart' was conducted during the tenure of the late former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, 70 percent of those penalized were BNP leaders and activists. This demonstrates that BNP and a BNP-led government do not act based on party affiliation, but take action based on the crime committed."

State Minister for Water Resources Farhad Hossain Azad told Agamir Somoy: "The clear stance of the BNP and the government is zero tolerance for involvement in misdeeds. This applies not only to party leaders and activists, but to all 200 million people in the country."

He said, "BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman dissolved the committees of several organizations, including Dhaka Metropolitan North BNP, and expelled several individuals. Through this, the Prime Minister sent a message that she will show no leniency to anyone involved in anti-organizational activities or actions that tarnish the image of the party and the government, or to those inclined toward such behavior. Alongside organizational action, legal measures will also be taken if necessary," he added.

Simultaneous Anti-Fascist Movement Allies View Decision Positively: Partners in the simultaneous anti-fascist movement view the Prime Minister's decision in a positive note. Md. Faruk Rahman, a top leader of the 12-Party Alliance and Chairman of the National Labour Party, said that Mishti's resignation from her parliamentary seat is not merely an individual decision, but carries a clear political message from the BNP government. This resignation establishes the political message that the government's stance against crime and irregularities is uncompromising. At the same time, Mishti's resignation serves as a direct response to the allegations and criticism leveled against the government regarding extortion and forced occupations.