The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has expelled Engineer Manjurul Ahsan Munshi, a member of the party’s National Executive Committee, from all its positions, including primary membership. The decision was announced late Tuesday night in a press release signed by BNP Senior Joint General Secretary Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi.
The expulsion comes in the wake of a viral video clip on social media where Manjurul Ahsan Munshi was seen making threatening remarks. In the video, he allegedly warned that if the BNP returned to power, voters who chose other parties would face severe consequences, including the burning of their homes.
Details of the Expulsion
According to the official statement from the BNP, the action was taken due to activities and statements that contradict the party’s policies, ideals, and organizational discipline.
“Engineer Manjurul Ahsan Munshi has been expelled from all levels of the party, including his primary membership, for remarks and activities against the party’s ideology and organizational discipline,” the statement read.
The Viral Video Controversy
The controversy erupted when a video of Manjurul Ahsan Munshi—whose candidacy for the Cumilla-4 (Debidwar) constituency was recently canceled due to loan default—circulated online. In the footage, he is heard saying:
“If BNP is in power and you vote for another party, I will not spare any of you. I will burn your houses to ashes. I am saying this very clearly.”
He further added that he was not merely issuing a threat but was serious about his statement, even challenging people to record it and post it on Facebook.
Munshi’s Defense
Following the backlash, Manjurul Ahsan Munshi took to his own Facebook page to share what he claimed was the full video of his speech. He argued that the viral clip was an edited version used by a “vested interest group,” including Hasnat Abdullah, to carry out a smear campaign against him.
He explained that the remarks were made out of personal frustration in front of close relatives in his local area. “I believe the truth is never hidden. People know the difference between truth and lies,” he stated, claiming the context of his “personal grief” was omitted from the viral snippet.
Party and Local Reaction
The BNP has distanced itself from his remarks. A F M Tarek Munshi, Member Secretary of Cumilla North District BNP, clarified to the media that the statement was entirely personal and did not reflect the party’s stance. He also expressed sincere regret for the incident.
This expulsion adds a significant turn to the political landscape in Cumilla-4 as the 13th General Election approaches, where Manjurul Ahsan Munshi was previously a four-time Member of Parliament.
