Netrokona, May 17 (V7N) – After a 17-year hiatus, the biennial conference of Atpara Upazila BNP was held in Netrokona district on Saturday, May 17th. The conference resulted in the election of Md. Masum Chowdhury as the president, securing 337 votes under the umbrella symbol, and Rafiqul Islam Rafiq as the general secretary, obtaining 253 votes under the fish symbol.

The last conference of Atpara Upazila BNP took place in 2008. Despite the formation of a convening committee in 2019, the party had been unable to hold another conference until now.

The second session of the conference featured a ballot-based election for the president and general secretary positions. Out of the 497 eligible voters from 177 villages across the upazila's seven unions, 487 cast their votes.

The presidential race saw Masum Chowdhury (umbrella), Khairul Kabir Talukder (chair), and Jewel symbol contest. Masum Chowdhury emerged victorious with 337 votes, while Khairul Kabir Talukder received 150 votes.

For the general secretary position, Rafiqul Islam Rafiq (fish), Khasru Ahmed (lock), and Murshed Habib Bhuiyan (football) were the contenders. Rafiqul Islam Rafiq won with 253 votes, with Khasru Ahmed receiving 154 votes and Murshed Habib Bhuiyan 80 votes.

The biennial conference, organized by Atpara Upazila BNP, was inaugurated by District BNP Convener Anwarul Haque. BNP National Executive Committee Organizing Secretary Shariful Alam attended as the chief guest. Numerous central and local leaders and activists of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) were also present.

Attendees expressed that the direct voting system for leader selection at the biennial conference, held after such a long period, generated significant enthusiasm among the leaders and activists in the upazila, which comprises seven unions and 177 villages.

END/ATK/RH/