As Bangladesh heads toward the 13th National Parliamentary Election, the race for nominations within the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has intensified. The growing competition has triggered unease and infighting among grassroots leaders and activists.Adding to the tension, several figures from allied parties, civil society, and professional groups have emerged as “potential candidates,” sparking frustration and resentment over constituency leadership within the party. Local leaders who have long maintained BNP’s organizational presence complain that they are being overlooked in favor of outsiders and representatives from alliance partners. This, they say, has created confusion and demoralization among rank-and-file activists. Some allege that internal lobbying and factional politics are influencing nomination considerations.

A thana-level BNP leader, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, “We have kept the organization alive for years. Now outsiders want to come and lead — it’s hard to accept that.”
Another leader warned, “If nominations are decided without understanding the ground reality, it will be difficult to contain the grassroots reaction.”

However, central leaders maintain that no final decision has been made. A member of the BNP Standing Committee stated, “Party interest is our top priority. Discussions with alliance partners are ongoing, but no decision will be taken ignoring the grassroots.”

Discontent in Key Constituencies

According to party insiders, discussions are underway to field potential candidates from allied parties or civil society in at least ten constituencies in Dhaka and several others across the country.

In Dhaka–13, BNP Chairperson’s Adviser Abdus Salam has long maintained the party’s presence. But tensions arose after Dhaka North BNP President Aminul Haque recently introduced National Democratic Movement (NDM) Chairman Bobby Hajjaj as a possible candidate.

Alamgir Hossain Labu, a member of Mohammadpur Thana BNP, said, “We’ve been working under Abdus Salam’s leadership for 13 years. Bringing in an outsider now would be unfair.”
Faisal Bhuiyan Sohel, Joint Convener of Ward 34 BNP, echoed, “If a non-BNP figure is nominated, grassroots activists will be demoralized and even voters may turn away.”

Abdus Salam clarified, “I haven’t received any instruction from the party to work for Bobby Hajjaj. The party will make the final decision after considering all aspects.”

List of Potential Candidates in Dhaka Constituencies

• Dhaka–6: Ishraque Hossain, Kazi Abul Bashar (BNP), and Subrata Chowdhury (Gonoforum).

• Dhaka–7: Mir Newaz Ali, Hamidur Rahman Hamid, Ishaq Sarkar (BNP); Maulana Mamunul Haque (Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish).

• Dhaka–8: Mirza Abbas (BNP) and Saiful Haque (Revolutionary Workers Party).

• Dhaka–10: Barrister Nasir Uddin Asim, Rabiul Islam Rabi (BNP); Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan (government adviser).

• Dhaka–11: M. A. Kaiyum (BNP) and Nahid Islam (National Citizen Party–NCP).

• Dhaka–12: Habib-un-Nabi Khan Sohel, Saiful Islam Nirab (BNP); Zonayed Saki and Taslima Akhter (Ganosamhati Andolon).

• Dhaka–14: S. A. Siddiq Saju (BNP) and Sanjida Islam Tuli (Mayer Dak).

• Dhaka–17: Kamal Zaman Molla (BNP) and Andaleeve Rahman Partha (Bangladesh National Party).

• Dhaka–18: S. M. Jahangir (BNP); Tania Rob (JSD) and Mahmudur Rahman Manna (Nagorik Oikya).

Growing Unease Beyond Dhaka

In Jhenaidah–2, BNP district president Abdul Majid and Gonodhikar Parishad’s General Secretary Md. Rashed Khan are both campaigning.
Abdul Majid said, “If the party nominates Rashed, BNP will lose this seat. He’s not active here and lacks local support.”

He added, “Locals want a candidate who is established in the area, not an outsider.”

In Patuakhali–3, BNP central leader Hasan Mamun and Gonodhikar Parishad President Nurul Haque Nur are in the field.
Hasan Mamun said, “If the seat is left to Nur, BNP will lose. Local supporters want a BNP candidate, not someone from an allied group.”

Grassroots leaders argue that nominating new faces in long-established BNP strongholds could weaken morale and risk internal disunity.

Party sources say BNP may eventually concede 50 to 70 constituencies to alliance partners. However, long-serving local leaders in those seats now fear losing nominations they’ve worked toward for years.

“Only the Sheaf of Paddy Symbol”

Eman Hossain Noor Iman, Joint Convener of Banani Thana BNP, said, “Those of us who endured jail and repression want only the ‘Sheaf of Paddy’ symbol. If outsiders are nominated, our morale will collapse.”

Dhaka–12 candidate hopeful Saiful Islam said, “The party will take a well-considered decision, and we will respect it.”

S. M. Jahangir, a nomination-seeker from Dhaka–18, added, “We’ll abide by the party’s decision. But if the grassroots’ preferred candidates are ignored, it will dampen their spirit.”

Lessons from the Past

Many BNP leaders believe the party suffered in the past by nominating alliance candidates under its banner. For instance, Jamaat-e-Islami’s Amir Dr. Shafiqur Rahman secured 61,000 votes in Mirpur under the BNP symbol, while Gonoforum leaders Sultan Mansur and Mokabbir Khan won on BNP’s “Sheaf of Paddy” but later distanced themselves from the party.

They argue that Dhaka is the political heart of BNP, and nominating controversial or disconnected figures here would be a self-defeating move.

A central leader observed, “The Awami League also faced problems after nominating celebrities and bureaucrats instead of popular local leaders. BNP should not repeat that mistake.”

Grassroots activists emphasize that alliance coordination is necessary, but ignoring local realities could turn this strategy of unity into a source of division.

Final Decision Expected in November

BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed said that by November, the party aims to finalize single candidates in around 200 constituencies.
“Discussions with alliance partners are ongoing,” he said, adding, “Those who don’t get nominations will still be properly recognized and valued.”