Lawmaker Pankaj Debnath suspended from all posts in Awami League

The Awami League on Monday removed Member of Parliament Pankaj Debnath of Barishal-4 (Hijla-Mehendiganj) constitution from the party for violating party discipline. 

Biplob Barua, AL central office secretary, sent a letter in this regard to AL Barishal unit president Abul Hasanat Abdullah and General Secretary Talukdar Md Yunus stating Pankaj was dismissed from all party positions, including of the member of the advisory council.

Pankaj has been instructed to submit a written response within 15 days to the party's central office. 

The MP had a visible friction with Hijla municipal mayor, which came to the fore when an audio of him threatening the mayor went viral.

In it, Pankaj can be heard telling the inspector (investigation) of Mehendiganj police station that he would hack the Hijla municipal mayor.

Mayor Kamaludding Khan, also AL Mehendiganj upazila secretary, said, "We are happy as the MP has tortured a number of leaders and party activists in the area. He even wanted to hack me." 

"Today we have got freedom again as we were confined within the rules and orders of Pankaj Nath. He didn't follow the party rules. A number of leaders had to leave the area because of him," said Sultan Mahmood Topu, president of AL's Hijla upazila unit. 

Pankaj also had a long-standing feud with the AL district committee, including the district unit President Abul Hasnat Abdullah, said a member of the committee seeking anonymity.

"I have got the letter and I don't want to say anything else at this moment," Pankaj told The Business Standard.