BNP lawmaker Ferdousi Ahmed Mishti resigned from parliament on Thursday amid mounting controversy over the demolition of the RADDA MCH-FP Centre in Mirpur-1, Parliament Secretary Golam Sarowar confirmed to Daily Waadaa.

Mishti, a member of parliament from a seat reserved for women, was seen entering the parliament complex earlier in the day.

Her resignation marks a turn in a controversy that has put the ruling BNP under growing public pressure over the destruction of the nearly half-century-old health facility.

Under Article 67(2) of the Constitution, an MP may resign by submitting a signed letter addressed to the Speaker. The parliamentary seat becomes vacant when the Speaker receives the letter.

If the Speaker is unable to perform the function, the resignation may be received by the Deputy Speaker.

The resignation comes days after more than 200 masked men allegedly stormed the RADDA MCH-FP Centre on the night of September 24-25.

The attackers allegedly restrained security guards, looted medicines, vaccines and medical equipment before heavy machinery was brought in to demolish the facility.

RADDA had provided primary healthcare, maternity, family-planning and vaccination services to residents of Mirpur for decades, making its destruction particularly sensitive.

The incident quickly developed into a political problem for the BNP, with allegations of involvement by people linked to local party politics.

Pressure intensified while Prime Minister Tarique Rahman was in New York attending the UN General Assembly.

Rahman returned to Dhaka after four days of diplomatic engagements to find his government confronting two high-profile incidents at home — the RADDA demolition and the vandalism of YouTuber Salman Muqtadir’s studio.

The RADDA episode, however, posed a more direct political challenge because of allegations surrounding figures linked to the ruling party.

Mishti is the sister of late BNP lawmaker Nasiruddin Ahmed Pintu and the widow of a slain BNP councillor.

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