Rajshahi City BNP General Secretary Nadim Mustafa, MP had initiated alleged criminal Benzeer's inclusion. Nadim, who pledged many times to take action against crimes since he took the party post early this month, welcomed Benzeer placing floral wreaths around his neck.

Benzeer was always on the list of top criminals of different intelligence agencies for the last few years. He joined the BNP with hundreds of allegedly low-profile political leaders including Maksudul Karim Samrat, Motiur Rahman Lal and Mesbaur Rahman from Awami League and Mamtaz Khan and Anwar Hossain Rubel from Jatiya Party (Ershad).

The defection occurred at a reception for Nadim, lawmaker of Puthia-Durgapur constituency, organised by ward No. 9 unit of BNP with party leader Kala Chand in the chair.

Embarrassed BNP leaders including Rajshahi City Corporation Mayor Mizanur Rahman Minu, MP said it will benefit Nadim to establishing his supremacy but tarnish the image of the party.

Some senior leaders described Benzeer and the low-profile AL and JP leaders as 'opportunists', saying they defected to BNP to save their skin from Rapid Action Battalion (Rab).

"Benzeer, widely known as a don of criminals, was not accused of any murder. But there are allegations of extortion, tender vandalism, controlling hired killers and other crimes against him," said a highly placed police source.

Benzeer, who was involved in BNP, AL, and JP, was arrested during the Operation Clean Heart. Joint forces seized several firearms following his statement. He was out on bail last year, sources said.

Nadim told The Daily Star that Benzeer might have bad records, but he has pledged to work for betterment of the society. "We should give opportunity to certain people for living a good life," he said.