BNP factions scuffle over sitting on chairs at poll rally

A clash has erupted between two factions of the BNP over seating arrangements. at an election rally in Kishoreganj, reports bdnews24.com.

Police and local BNP leaders said the incident took place in Austagram upazila on Friday evening.

According to local residents, a BNP election rally for candidate Fazlur Rahman was under way in the afternoon.

As the rally was drawing to a close, a procession led by Mahbub Alam Kismat, general secretary of Kastul Union Jubo Dal, arrived at the venue.

An argument broke out over sitting on chairs with supporters of Sadeq Mia, president of BNP's Ward No. 2 unit. The dispute later escalated into a brawl.

Mahbub alleged that after arriving at the rally with the procession, Sadeq and his supporters attacked them, leaving at least 20 people, including himself, injured.

Denying the allegation, Sadeq said he and eight to 10 of his supporters were injured in an attack carried out by Mahbub and his followers.

Austagram Police chief Shoaib Khan said the situation is currently under control.