In Barishal Division, 19 former student leaders are aspiring for party nominations in the upcoming 13th parliamentary elections. Among them is former MP Mejba Uddin Farhad, known for his clean image and strong electoral record. In 2008, he became the youngest candidate to receive BNP’s nomination for Barishal-4, defeating a powerful Awami League-backed opponent, Maidul Islam, by a significant margin. That year, BNP won only two seats in the division, one of which was secured by Farhad. He is again seeking the party’s nomination for the same constituency. Another prominent figure is Mahbubul Haque Nannu, widely known as VP Nannu. A seasoned and dedicated leader, he is working at the grassroots level to secure BNP’s nomination from Jhalokathi-2 (Nalchity–Jhalokathi Sadar). Nannu has held multiple leadership positions, including former VP of BM College, three-time vice president of the Student League Central Committee, former deputy organizing secretary of the Jubo Dal, former member of BNP’s National Executive Committee, and currently BNP’s co-organizing secretary for Barishal Division. Known for leading movements such as “We Want a Bangladesh Free of Fascism,” he has long aspired to parliamentary nomination.

Out of 21 constituencies in the division, 19 are seeing former student leaders seeking party tickets. Many are actively strengthening their influence at the grassroots level to gain recognition from the high command.

In Barishal Sadar, former student leader and current South District BNP secretary Abul Kalam Shahin is seeking nomination. During the 1990s, he served as president of the district Student League and also led the city Jubo Dal.

Barishal-2 (Uzirpur–Banaripara) has three former student leaders in the nomination race: Rownakul Islam Tipu, former president of Jagannath University Student League branch, former vice president of the Student League Central Council, and current BNP national executive committee member and co-secretary of Forest & Environment; Dulal Hossain, former vice president of the Student League Central Committee (Dhaka University), and current BNP national executive committee member; and Saif Mahmud Jewel, former general secretary of the Student League Central Committee.

In Barishal-4 (Hizla–Mehendiganj), Rajib Ahsan, former president of the Student League Central Committee and current central general secretary of the Volunteer League, is in the race.

In Bhola-4 (Charfassion–Manpura), former student leaders Nazim Uddin Alam and Nurul Islam Noyon are seeking nomination. Alam was former AGS of DUCSU and general secretary of the Student League Central Committee and has been elected MP three times from this constituency. Noyon was vice president of the Student League Central Executive Committee and currently serves as general secretary of Jubo Dal.

Bhola Sadar sees former Student League central vice president and BNP national executive committee member Haider Ali Khan Lenin in the nomination race.

Barishal-6 (Baker Ganj) has former student leaders Nazrul Islam Khan Rajon, former district Student League general secretary and former district BNP general secretary, and Nurul Islam Khan Masud, former vice president of the Student League Central Council and former joint secretary of Jubo Dal, seeking nomination.

In Jhalokathi-1, Habibur Rahman Selim Reza, former vice president of Barishal district Student League and current president of New York South chapter, has been working in the constituency for a long time. He gained national attention by leading protests during former dictator Sheikh Hasina’s U.S. visit. Another aspirant is Golam Azam Soikat, former deputy organizing secretary of the Student League Central Council.

In Patuakhali constituencies, Munir Hossain (former VP of SM Hall, Dhaka University) seeks nomination from Patuakhali-2; Hasan Mamun (former president of Dhaka University Student League) is the sole aspirant in Patuakhali-3; and ABM Mosharaf Hossain (former two-term organizing secretary of the Student League Central Committee) is the sole aspirant from Patuakhali-4.

Patuakhali-1 will likely see former minister and ex-Air Force chief, BNP vice chairman Altaf Hossain Chowdhury, as the candidate, due to his unmatched popularity and developmental work in the area.

In Pirojpur, Professor Alamgir Hossain, former district Student League president and current district BNP convener, seeks nomination from Pirojpur-1. From Pirojpur-2, Mahmud Hossain, former VP of Bhandaria Government College, is campaigning for the party ticket.

BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman has reportedly shown a positive stance toward former student leaders with a clean image for nominations.