Ex-Moulvibazar MPs After Bangladesh's August 5 Power Shift

key takeaways

The seismic political shift that unseated the Awami League government on August 5, 2024, has created a complex and volatile reality for its former leaders. For the influential former Members of Parliament (MPs) of Moulvibazar—a district closely watched by its large UK diaspora—their lives have fragmented into a spectrum of strategic evasion, comfortable exile, and stark incarceration.

Responding to the intense curiosity of UK expatriate readers, our Senior Reporter Tanvir Anjum Arif has compiled this essential, comprehensive report detailing the current whereabouts and status of Moulvibazar's political elite, highlighting the dramatic and divergent paths taken since the power transition.

Moulvibazar's Former MPs: A Detailed Status Report

The investigation carried out by this correspondent confirms the highly varied circumstances of the former MPs:

Nesar Ahmed: Embracing a Measured, Domestic Presence

The former Moulvibazar-3 constituency MP and ex-District Awami League President, Nesar Ahmed, has chosen a path of careful domestic residence, opting not to seek sanctuary abroad or solely in Dhaka. While there have been understandable circulating narratives, perhaps originating from those close to him, suggesting he might be in Habiganj or elsewhere outside the district, a deeper understanding reveals a reality of considered, self-directed movement within a familiar landscape.

Circumstance: Since the political changes of August 5, 2024, Nesar Ahmed has remained within the familiar boundaries of Moulvibazar district. His movements are a gentle, yet constant, process of finding secure lodging within the inter-district border regions of Moulvibazar, Habiganj, and Sylhet, a decision made for his own peace of mind and personal well-being.
Current Location: Highly reliable sources have indicated his present location is a discreet and secure spot within a union situated near Sherpur, which is a gateway to Moulvibazar Sadar. The trail of his known communication devices suggests his trajectory has been confined to this specific, close-knit regional periphery.
Present Focus: A poignant indication of his primary focus on personal quietude is his absence from an online Telegram meeting of the Moulvibazar Awami League with former Prime Minister and Party President Sheikh Hasina, despite the weight of his District President post. This quiet withdrawal underscores his need for space during this sensitive time.

Mohammad Zillur Rahman: The Self-Exiled Financier

The most recent former Moulvibazar-3 MP, Mohammad Zillur Rahman, stayed in the country for a brief period after the political change but then executed a strategic exit. Daily Dazzling Dawn has confirmed his presence in America after successfully transiting through the Middle East.

Current Engagement: He remains actively involved, utilising social media platforms like Facebook to maintain contact and provide vital financial assistance for various needs, most critically for securing bail for incarcerated party workers and followers.
Comment: When pressed for comment regarding his exit and recent activities, he deferred, stating he was currently busy but would speak at a later time.

Shafiul Alam Chowdhury Nadel: The Voice of Dissent from Across the Border

Shafiul Alam Chowdhury Nadel, former Moulvibazar-2 MP, has adopted a more public and combative stance. Operating from India, he has been the most vocal former MP from the district on behalf of the beleaguered Awami League since the change of government.

Role: He has been actively providing shelter and assistance to party workers who fled Bangladesh and has consistently spoken out through online talk shows and social media platforms since the very beginning of the transition.

Abdus Shaheed and Sultan Mohammad Mansur Ahmed: Arrested and Forgotten

The fate of the two arrested former MPs highlights the severe risks of returning to the country for former ruling party leaders:

Abdus Shaheed (Moulvibazar-4): The former Agriculture Minister briefly stayed in Canada post-August 5 but was arrested upon his return to Bangladesh. He was detained in a special police operation from his home in Sector 10, Uttara, Dhaka.
Sultan Mohammad Mansur Ahmed (Moulvibazar-2): Already in Canada before the AL downfall, he reportedly returned with an overconfident belief that his alleged personal relationship with Dr. Yunus would grant him immunity. He was detained immediately upon arrival at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka. He is currently in jail custody, with a close relative expressing sorrow that very few party workers bother to call or check on him, a sign of political isolation.