Expelled Rumeen Farhana pledges to carry forward Khaleda’s 'mission'

She says her expulsion from BNP before Khaleda’s body was even buried was “unjust”

Rumeen Farhana, who has been expelled from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), has said she will continue to carry out what she described as the responsibilities entrusted to her by the late Khaleda Zia.

Speaking at a community meeting in Sarail, Brahmanbaria, on Thursday, Rumeen led prayers for the BNP chairperson, who died in the early hours of Dec 30.

“I have not left the party, nor have I abandoned the people of my area,” she said. “The mission that our leader Khaleda Zia gave me, I will carry it through until my last breath.”

Referring to her expulsion, she said: “I was expelled even before the leader’s body was buried. If there has been any injustice towards me, I leave its judgment to Allah.”

Addressing local supporters, she added: “In 1973, my father was defeated. I will ensure that history does not repeat itself. I may have no party now, but you are here. Once the votes are counted, we will return with the result.”

Rumeen is contesting the Brahmanbaria-2 constituency, covering Sarail, Ashuganj and two unions of Bijoynagar, and is expected to campaign under the “duck” symbol.

Her nomination defied party directives, prompting the BNP to expel her and three others from Brahmanbaria.

The seat had earlier been allotted to the BNP’s ally Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam for its Co-Vice President Zunaid Al Habib.