The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is set to finalise its nomination list for the upcoming national election today (Monday). Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has convened a meeting of the party’s Standing Committee at the BNP Chairperson’s office in Gulshan at 12:30 pm.Following the meeting, a press conference will be held at 3:00 pm at the same venue, confirmed Sayrul Kabir Khan, a member of the BNP media cell. BNP’s divisional organising secretaries have also been asked to attend the meeting.
Party sources said Tarique Rahman, who will chair the meeting virtually from London, will preside over the session, while other Standing Committee members will be present in person.
Several senior BNP leaders said the meeting’s primary agenda is to finalise single candidates for each constituency under the party and its alliance ahead of the upcoming general election.
The meeting follows Tarique Rahman’s announcement on Sunday that the party would soon release the first phase of its nomination list. He made the statement while inaugurating BNP’s new online payment gateway for membership renewal and registration at an event held at a Gulshan hotel.
Tarique said it was not possible to nominate all aspirants, as the BNP had decided to support candidates from other democratic parties that participated in the anti-fascist movement alongside the BNP.
“Because of this, some BNP aspirants may not receive party nominations,” he said.
He urged all party leaders, workers, and supporters to accept this reality in the greater interest of the country, the people, and democracy.
“Whoever receives the nomination, please work unitedly to ensure their victory,” he said, warning:
“Remember, a hidden dictatorship with secret ambitions is lurking around you. Do not let petty resentments, quarrels, or disputes among yourselves reach a level where the opponent can exploit your differences.”
Party insiders said Tarique Rahman had held extensive discussions with potential candidates from different divisions over the past two weeks at the Chairperson’s office. He instructed all aspirants to support the officially nominated candidate under the BNP’s ‘sheaf of paddy’ election symbol.
Sources said the first list is likely to include around 200 constituencies.
Earlier, BNP Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed told reporters that the party expected to publish its initial list of about 200 candidates in early November.
“All nominated and non-nominated aspirants must work together for the officially endorsed candidate,” Salahuddin said.