Aslam Chowdhury
Aslam Chowdhury is a Bangladeshi politician, chartered accountant, and industrialist. He currently serves as an Adviser to the Chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and previously held the position of joint secretary-general of the party.
Chowdhury is a prominent figure within the BNP and has stood as a parliamentary candidate for the Chittagong-4 constituency. Outside of politics, he is a recognized industrialist and a former District Governor for Lions International. Following an eight-year imprisonment under the Hasina administration—which human rights groups and political observers characterized as politically motivated—he was released in August 2024 following the Student–People's uprising.
Early life and education
Chowdhury was born into the modest family of Golam Hossain Chowdhury and Halima Khatun Chowdhury in Faujdarhat, Chittagong. He completed his postgraduate studies at the University of Chittagong. After successfully passing the Bangladesh Civil Service examination, he began his professional career within the government's education cadre.In 1996, Chowdhury resigned from his teaching position to pursue a fellowship with The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Bangladesh. He transitioned into the private sector, working at Kabir Steel in Chittagong before joining Confidence Cement, where he served as a financial manager and eventually as chief financial officer.
Chowdhury later established Confidence Salt, which became the foundational entity of the Rising Group. His business portfolio expanded to include the Confidence Salt Factory in Boalkhali, several CNG filling stations in Sitakunda, the Inani Resort in Harbang, and two fish preservation facilities in the Nasirabad and Sagarika areas of Chittagong.
Political career
Chowdhury entered politics in 2001 following the ascent of the Four Party Alliance to power. He ran as a BNP candidate for the Chittagong-4 constituency in the 2008 general election but was defeated.Party leadership and detention
In 2014, Chowdhury was appointed convener of the BNP's North District unit and subsequently rose to the position of joint secretary-general of the party's national committee.His political career was interrupted in 2016 when he was arrested on multiple charges, including allegations of conspiring with Israel to overthrow the Awami League government. Chowdhury eventually faced 76 separate legal cases, which were widely viewed as politically motivated attempts to suppress opposition. During his eight-year detention, he was frequently denied bail despite reports of declining health.
Release and recent activity
In early 2024, while still in custody, Chowdhury was promoted to the position of Adviser to the BNP Chairperson.Following the Student–People's uprising and the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Chowdhury was released from Chittagong Central Jail on 20 August 2024. His release was celebrated by a large number of supporters and party activists in Sitanunda and Chittagong.