Severe unease over BNP nominations; infighting in over fifty constituencies

Ahead of the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election, infighting within the BNP over nominations is becoming increasingly complex. Across the country, open discontent, protests, and written complaints from party nomination hopefuls against the announced prospective candidates in at least fifty constituencies have put the party's organizational situation under pressure. Some have taken to the streets in protest; others have submitted complaint letters at the central office—all of which has made the nomination-related unease quite widespread.

According to party insiders and grassroots leaders, in many of the seats where candidates have been announced, long-time activists and leaders who have been active in the party's struggles have been overlooked. Instead, the promotion of senior, controversial, or opportunistic leaders is fueling resentment. In this context, disgruntled members are organizing to demand candidates who are dedicated, relatively young, and have a ‘clean image’. They fear that if this infighting persists, the opposition will benefit in the electoral arena.

Grassroots leaders say that although the central leadership has sent a message of unity, there are no signs of the infighting subsiding in reality. On the contrary, the divisions are becoming more apparent with demands for a change of candidate. Many believe that nominating unqualified and controversial individuals is the root cause of this crisis. They also express fears of adverse election results if the decision is not corrected in time.

Regarding this, BNP Standing Committee member Iqbal Hasan Mahmood Tuku stated that the list of potential candidates was compiled based on multiple field-level surveys and organizational feedback. However, it should not be considered final. Changes may be made if necessary, and internal conflicts will not be tolerated under any circumstances. He added that preparations for the election will be made with a united front.

 

Notably, the BNP announced potential candidates for 237 seats in the first phase on November 3 and for another 36 seats on December 4. Following a candidate change in one seat, the list was finalized for a total of 272 seats. However, since the announcement of the first list, protests and complaints demanding candidate changes have been ongoing in various parts of the country.

Dissatisfied leaders allege that individuals inactive in the movement or with controversial pasts were nominated due to the influence of a powerful internal syndicate and a few senior leaders. In contrast, leaders who have been active on the streets and have faced cases and persecution have been left out. They are questioning the decision to put forward ‘newcomer’ and ‘hybrid’ leaders in some places, and individuals worn down by old age in others.

Meanwhile, written complaints have been filed in several constituencies. In the Chattogram-12 constituency, a complaint letter bearing hundreds of signatures from local public representatives and grassroots leaders has been submitted against the party's candidate. The complaint accuses the candidate of extortion, corruption, terrorist activities, controlling illegal businesses, and tarnishing the party's image. Local leaders claim that for these reasons, he has no acceptability in the area.

 

 Controversy and written complaints have also been filed against the declared candidates in Netrokona-5 and Sirajganj-3. From allegations of moral turpitude to issues of local unacceptability, demands have been made to the party high command for a change of candidate.

 

Multiple aspiring candidates have also raised similar allegations against the declared candidate for the Dinajpur-2 seat. They have demanded a reconsideration of the nomination, citing accusations of benefiting under the fascist government, being exempted from cases, extortion, persecution of minorities, and drug-related involvement. Local leaders fear that a weak candidacy could alter the voting dynamics.

Additionally, in several other constituencies—including Brahmanbaria-4, Kushtia-4, Jamalpur-2, and Chittagong-13—demands have been raised to change candidates due to age-related infirmities, long-term residence abroad, inactivity in the movement, or past political positions. In some places, it is being said that if these decisions are upheld, the party could certainly lose the seat.

 

All in all, this internal instability within the BNP over nominations is making electoral preparations difficult.