Harun Chowdhury on Wednesday introduced himself as the president of Bangladesh Samyabadi Dal (ML) and said he has no information about the current whereabouts of the party’s senior leader and former minister Dilip Barua.
“Dilip Barua was the party’s general secretary. But I have no idea where he is now. I am the president of Samyabadi Dal (ML),” he said while talking to reporters after a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin at the city’s Nirbachan Bhaban.
A three-member delegation, led by Harun Chowdhury, met the CEC in the afternoon to inform to place the party’s new committee list and revised organisational structure before him.
The president is the chief of the party instead of the general secretary under the new structure, said Harun.
“For various reasons, Dilip Barua has become controversial and we don’t know where he is now. However, I have understood that he has not been arrested. Whether he is abroad or in hiding, we cannot say,” he said.
Talking about their demands placed before the CEC, Harun said the use of muscle power and the games of money, and declaration (of unopposed elected candidates) must be stopped in the next election.
“We have demanded an acceptable election, a neutral administration and equal dignity for every candidate (in the election),” he said.
Following the 2024 July-August mass uprising, Dilip Barua, the general secretary of Samyabadi Dal, a component of the Awani League-led 14-party alliance, has not been seen in public places.
The Harun Chowdhury-led faction has kept control of Samyabadi Dal’s central office at Segunbagicha.
During Dilip Barua’s tenure as minister, Harun Chowdhury was expelled from the party over various allegations.
Later, Harun formed another party with the same name (Samyabadi Dal) and joined the BNP-led alliance. After August 5, this faction, led by Harun, has been claiming to be the original party and is seeking recognition from the Election Commission.
