Complaining of discrimination, the vice chairmen demanded to be retained in their positions

Although the city corporation and municipal councilors are still in place, the removed vice chairmen have complained that there has been discrimination by removing the upazila vice chairmen. The agitators under the banner of independent vice chairmen have demanded the reinstatement of their vice chairmen, citing that they were elected in a fair and free vote.

These demands were made at a press conference organized on Thursday (September 5) at the Nasrul Hamid Auditorium of Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) in Segunbagicha of the capital to demand the 'reinstatement of the removed independent vice chairman'.

Laila Banu, chief coordinator of the removed vice chairman movement and vice chairman of Chirir Bandar Upazila Parishad of Dinajpur, gave a written statement.

He said that the Sixth Upazila Parishad elections were held on May 8, 21 and 29 and June 5 and 9 this year. All of us were elected upazila vice chairman and female vice chairman as independent candidates. We were elected through free, fair and impartial elections by direct vote of the people.

Accusing of discrimination, he said that on August 5, the previous government was overthrown by the anti-discrimination student movement. After taking oath on August 8, the current interim government is working to reform the country. But on August 19, we were removed from our post through a notification of the Ministry of Local Government Rural Development and Cooperatives. We are discriminated against here. Because local government means Bangladesh Zilla Parishad, Upazila Parishad, Union Parishad, Municipality and City Corporation. But the present government has not interfered in the Union Parishad among those institutions. On the other hand, only the chairmen and mayors of the rest of the institutions have been removed, while the remaining members and commissioners have been retained. Only in the case of upazila parishads, it has been different i.e. along with the chairmen, the vice chairmen and women vice chairmen have also been removed which is the victim of discrimination.

Demanding to eliminate discrimination, it was said in the press conference that where the main purpose of the current student movement was to eliminate discrimination, the vice chairmen were the first victims of discrimination. Therefore, we wish to get rid of this discrimination to all concerned including the chief advisor of the present government.

Laila Begum said in her speech, we will make demands through law. We are carrying out a peaceful program. As representatives of the people we will not mess up. But we will continue the movement. If necessary, we will take to the streets with our voters.